'Ransacked': Thieves burgle Wellington music store just days before it was set to reopen

A leading musical instrument-seller in Wellington, Somerset, has had thousands of pounds worth of stock stolen just days before it was set to reopen.

John Packer is one of the biggest brass and woodwind sellers in the country. The shop has been closed throughout the lockdown, but the company has said it will still go ahead with opening on Monday 15 June.

The theft happened at some point between 5pm on Friday 5 June and 9.20am on Monday 8 June.

Over 30 instruments were stolen, including saxophones, clarinets and flutes. It’s thought the total value of the goods is around £50,000.

Shoe prints, thought to have been left by whoever broke in, are still visible in the company’s warehouse, which was described as having been ‘ransacked’.

John Packer has been in business for more than 40 years and has had bases in both Taunton and Wellington during that time.

Jean Broadbent, from the company, said: "It was hugely upsetting for the members of staff who’d found that we’d been burgled but also for all the staff that have been furloughed.

"Knowing that a company which you hold dear, you want to come back to work at, has been targeted is very upsetting."

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The business has several thousand instruments in its 10,000 square feet warehouse.

Jean Broadbent says the business will still reopen its Wellington shop on 15 June and has sent a warning out to other companies in the region:

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “Anyone with information about what happened can report it online or call 101 and give the call-handler reference 5220124416.”

John Packer hopes that people will help by keeping an eye out for the stolen instruments.

This is a full list of them with serial numbers:

• Conn-Selmer Premiere PAS380 Eb Alto Saxophone 90812588

• JP044 MkII Baritone Saxophone Eb Lacquer Ex Demo A 04400306

• JP144 Cadence Baritone Saxophone Eb in Lacquer B167823

• JP144 Cadence Baritone Saxophone B16777

• JP144 Cadence Baritone Saxophone B16783

• JP144 Cadence Baritone Saxophone B16779

• JP144 Cadence Baritone Saxophone B16778

• Jupiter JAS500Q Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer YF50226

• Schreiber WS5010-2-0GB S10 Bassoon Silver Plated Keys

• Selmer Seles Axos Alto Saxophone A06020

• Selmer Super 80 Series II GG Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer 816594

• Selmer Super 80 Series II GG Tenor Saxophone Bb Gold Lacquer 814018

• Trevor James Alphasax Eb 371A Gold Lacquer

• Trevor James SR Evo (Upgrade Case) Eb Alto Sax Lacquer 100352

• Uebel 'Emperior' Bb Bass Clarinet To Low C 191788

• Yamaha YTS275 Tenor Sax

• Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer

• Yamaha YAS-280S Alto Saxophone Eb Silver Plated N81498

• Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer Q08339

• Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer Q02003

• Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer N96378

• Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer N97887

• Yamaha YAS-6204 Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer F11776

• Yamaha YAS-6204 Alto Saxophone Eb Gold Lacquer F16000

• Yamaha YAS-875EX04 Alto Saxophone Eb Custom E97952

• Yamaha YFL-212 UKID Flute

• Yamaha YSS-475II Bb Soprano Saxophone 42737

• Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Saxophone Bb Gold Lacquer N70896

• Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Saxophone Bb Gold Lacquer N70305

• Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Saxophone Bb Gold Lacquer N68664

• Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Saxophone Bb Gold Lacquer N76244

• Yamaha YTS-6202 Tenor Saxophone Bb Gold Lacquer F13219

• Yamaha YTS-82Z02 Bb Tenor Saxophone Gold Lacquer Z14812

• Yanagisawa AWO2 Alto Saxophone Eb Bronze 00384611