Masked Men Ram-Raid Henleaze Petrol Station for Tobacco Haul

A local petrol station was left with severe structural damage after a brazen, highly destructive commercial burglary early Friday morning. Law enforcement officers have established a security cordon and are actively investigating a ram raid that occurred at the Esso petrol station located on Henleaze Road.

The Overnight Ram Raid

According to investigators, the chaotic scene unfolded at approximately 12:55 a.m. on June 26. A group of three suspects utilized a black Ford Fiesta as a literal battering ram, violently reversing the vehicle into the storefront to shatter the glass and breach the reinforced doors.

Once the perimeter was breached, two of the suspects entered the heavily damaged store while the third remained outside, acting as a lookout and getaway driver. The intruders completely bypassed cash registers, instead targeting the high-value, easily fenced inventory behind the counter. They successfully stole a "large amount" of tobacco products before fleeing the scene.

The getaway was short-lived for the vehicle itself; police located the heavily damaged black Ford Fiesta abandoned on Twenty Acres Road just 20 minutes after the raid occurred.

Suspect Descriptions and Police Appeal

Investigators are currently reviewing forensic evidence and CCTV footage from both the petrol station and the location where the vehicle was abandoned. They have released the following descriptions of the two men who entered the store:

• Suspect 1: Wore a balaclava, a black top featuring a distinct white stripe across the chest and arms, black tracksuit bottoms, and white shoes.
• Suspect 2: Wore a balaclava, a blue T-shirt, black jogging bottoms, and white shoes.

Local Police Inspector Chris Green addressed the incident, stating, "We understand incidents like this are concerning to the community, and we would like to assure them we have launched a thorough investigation... we will be using our resources to bring to justice those responsible."

Authorities are urgently appealing to any residents or delivery drivers who may have been in the area. Anyone with dashcam, doorbell, or private CCTV footage capturing the incident on Henleaze Road, or the abandonment of the vehicle on Twenty Acres Road, is urged to contact the police immediately, quoting crime reference number 5226175794.

Defending Against Ram Raids

Petrol stations are frequent targets for ram raids due to their large glass storefronts and high-value tobacco inventory. Property owners must invest in physical, structural defenses:

• Anti-Ram Bollards: Steel-reinforced concrete bollards placed tightly together in front of the store entrance are the only definitive way to prevent a vehicle from striking the building.
• Secure Tobacco Cabinets: Upgrade standard tobacco shelving to heavy-duty, commercial-grade steel security cabinets equipped with rolling metal shutters that are locked down every night.