John Phillips A SUPERMARKET lost �11,000 of takings and stock after an arson and attempted break-in early on Thursday. Co-op in Porters Avenue, Dagenham, had to throw out �6,000 of ruined frozen foods after it lost electricity when the power store room was set on fire

John Phillips

A SUPERMARKET lost �11,000 of takings and stock after an arson and attempted break-in early on Thursday.

Co-op in Porters Avenue, Dagenham, had to throw out �6,000 of ruined frozen foods after it lost electricity when the power store room was set on fire at around 3.45am, in what is thought to have been an attempt to stop CCTV being recorded.

Supervisor Risvi Ahamed, 24, said a metal shutter at the back was also cut out in a bid to break into the shop, but thwarted by a secure fire door behind it.

The store reopened on Friday afternoon.

Mr Ahamed said: "It's a shame for us. This is the second time. Two years ago the same thing happened. If the power is gone, the CCTV won't work.

"We're all worried. We've had a hard time removing frozen items. But we've got everything marked with barcodes and have insurance.