CHILDREN as young as 12 have been caught stealing scores of energy drinks from a Sidford shop, it has been claimed.

CHILDREN as young as 12 have been caught stealing scores of energy drinks from a Sidford shop, it has been claimed.

The manager of Spar in Church Street believes youngsters are selling their haul at school after thieving as many as 60 drinks in a single day.

Wendy Thomson has barred six youngsters aged between 12 and 14 from the premises, and has banned children from entering the store with rucksacks and large bags.

Schoolchildren in uniforms were spotted on CCTV stealing the drinks and Wendy has warned offenders: "I will catch as many as I can and report them to police."

She added three offenders are being dealt with by police and a further were set to be shopped.

The manager was set to hand footage to police on Wednesday, and believes offences started when the store opened a new extension in April.

"I've had a lot of trouble with school children stealing energy drinks," she told the Herald. "They are under the impression there are blind spots in the store, youths think they can't be seen, but there are 16 cameras in there. Some we caught on CCTV took 30 drinks in one day, that's �60 of stock.

"I've tracked back on the footage and caught more doing the same thing. I'll be going back as far as I can, will catch as many as I can and report them to police every time.

"Mums have told me children have been told off for selling drinks at school when they are not allowed to.

"Those caught will be banned from this shop as long as it's a Spar."

A police spokesperson said: "The matter has been reported to police and investigations continue. We will be dealing with it - it is theft.