THIEVES broke into a shop in York city centre and stole at least seven bottles of alcohol.

They targeted The Whisky Shop in the Coppergate Centre and took bottles of whisky, gin, bourbon and rum.

North Yorkshire Police said the break-in was reported by Coppergate security staff at about 6.35am today (July 16).

On one side of the doors to the shop, a glass panel was missing this morning.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "It appears a glass panel had been removed by the suspects to enable them to gain entry.

"Inquiries are continuing including examination of CCTV in the area."

A member of staff at the Patisserie Valerie shop opposite said: "I got here about 7am and there were probably about eight police officers outside. There was a police van at the top of the street. The alarms were going off.

"It looks like they have removed the glass to the side of the door. There were bits of wood on the floor."

Anyone who has any information is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote reference number 12190128497 Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.