GREEDY thieves made off with a booty of frozen fast food and Valentine's Day goodies in Alcester.

Thieves struck twice on the same evening at two businesses, leading police to believe they are linked.

Handy Food Bar in Old Stratford Road was targeted for its frozen and tinned food and Girl Friday in the High Street had a large selection of its Valentine's stock taken.

Owners of the catering trailer, Andrea Neal and her fianc Michael Handy, discovered the break-in when they arrived for work on Thursday and found the van door open.

"It was a bit of a shock,'' said Ms Neal.

"They took all our stock, all the food, from frozen burgers, bacon, sausages, to all our tinned stuffs - even our ketchup.''

The business had only been running for three days when the raid happened.

An angry and upset Ms Neal said: "When you are trying to start up in business and do an honest day's work, it's not very nice to find everything you have worked for taken away.

"I feel that if they were hungry, I would have given them a sandwich - so why did they have to take all my stock?"

Thieves used bolt cutters to get into the locked cupboard outside and forced the padlock to the main van door. They also cut the wheelclamp off the vehicle in an attempt to steal it.

Steve Mousley, owner of Girl Friday, had his complete stock of Valentine's Day cards stolen, along with teddy bears and chocolate boxes.

The raiders got in by forcing a wooden back door.

Mr Mousley said: "It's a huge inconvenience and I've lost a day's trade because of it.

"It has dampened my Valentine's Day feelings but it hasn't damped my spirit."

Sector Insp Emma Walton believes the two crimes may have been committed by the same people and wants any information or sightings of suspicious activity in the area. Call Alcester police on 01789 762207.