A BOLD shoplifter made off with more than �1,000 worth of goods from a Portishead store on Saturday.

The incident happened at around 4.30pm at Summit Outdoor Leisure in Wyndham Way.

A man who appeared to be in his 40s grabbed a cache of quality jackets from a rail and made a dash through the showroom to a silver Mitsubishi Colt waiting outside.

The car then sped off, overtaking a line of traffic at the Wyndham Way traffic lights, to make a quick getaway out of the town.

Mike Johnston, owner of the camping and leisure wear store, has been left reeling after the incident and says he hopes CCTV footage of the incident will help police find the culprits.

He said: “I feel very angry that people target small, independent retailers like this. Running a small business is tough enough without having blatant theft to contend with.”

Mr Johnston will have to absorb the costs of the theft because as no forcible entry has occurred, it will not be covered by his insurance. Summit experienced a similar incident in January 2011.

He has now introduced further security measures in addition to the CCTV. He added: “I have now alternated the ways hangers face on the rails so that it is difficult to grab a handful of them but I am also aware that this is an inconvenience to customers.”

The retailer is also looking in to the possibility of threading security cords through items of clothing.

Police are now appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information should call them on 101.