Pokemon cards worth tens of thousands of pounds have been stolen during a brazen overnight break-in.
The raid, which targeted an indoor market in Bournemouth, resulted in the theft of trading cards and merchandise valued at approximately £30,000.
The break-in occurred at the Winton branch of Trove UK shortly before 11pm on March 4.
The collective mall, which is one of three operated by Trove UK across Bournemouth and Christchurch, houses around 250 independent stallholders.
Stock belonging to seven different traders was taken during the incident, which primarily targeted valuable Pokémon cards alongside other items.
Display cabinets were destroyed in the raid, with the damage forcing the venue to remain shut the following day.
The extent of the destruction meant normal trading could not resume immediately.
Mark Battistini, who owns and founded Trove, described the impact of the raid on the mall.
Display cabinets were left smashed with glass covering the floor
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TROVE UK
“This has devastated several small businesses as they have lost all their stock and income,” he said.
The incident affected traders across multiple stalls within the marketplace.
All seven businesses targeted saw their entire inventory removed during the break-in.
“When something like this happens, it literally makes us sick,” Mr Battistini continued.
Mark Battistini said the raid had ‘devastated several small businesses’ and that they had ‘lost all their stock and income’
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TROVE UK
“I have been speaking to the team and none of us have slept well since this happened.”
In response to the raid, staff have worked together in response to the crisis, attempting to reopen the gaming section of the marketplace as quickly as possible.
“The entire team is devastated by this and have all pulled together to try to open the gaming area as soon as possible,” Mr Battistini added.
“This has affected our community in a massive way — not only through the stock that was taken and the damage caused, but through the long-term impact on the small business owners who have lost everything.”
Mr Battistini went on to say the response from the local area has been “amazing”.
In a gesture of solidarity with the affected traders, members of the public have brought Pokemon cards from their personal collections to the store.
Dorset Police confirmed it had been notification on Wednesday, March 5, regarding the burglary at Trove in Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, which took place the night before.
A force spokesman confirmed: “It was reported damage had been caused and stock had been stolen.”
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this time.”
Trove UK has urged anyone who might have relevant details about the raid to contact authorities.
