THIEVES almost destroyed a shop's doors in a suspected burglary.

Shopper Paul Devaney, who lives in South Woodford, took this photo of damage to the front of Boots pharmacist in George Lane.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Police are treating the incident as a burglary and have cordoned off the area.

Mr Devaney, 60, who shops in George Lane every day, saw the damage as he went to the shop this morning.

He says: “I was shocked and amazed.

"There was a woman trying to salvage stock. Glass has smashed and the doors are so badly damaged they have had to take them off the frames. The damage is massive.

“I’m guessing it was done in the night, maybe with a sledgehammer.

“The doors have buckled inwards and it would be dangerous if it opened now.”

A spokeswoman for Boots says: “We can confirm that an incident took place at our George Lane store overnight which has resulted in damage to the store entrance.

"We are taking this incident very seriously and are working closely with the police.

"As such, we’re unable to comment on their ongoing investigation, but we would like to reassure our patients that they will still be able to collect their prescription medicines.

"Other access to the store is temporarily restricted - we would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.”

The Guardian has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.