A MALTON florist is urging customers to get in touch after thieves stole vital order books.

The Topiary Tree, in Finkle Street, was broken in to in the early hours of Monday.

Owner Gemma Bicknell said she was now left trying to retrieve future deliveries and appealed for anyone who had placed an order to get in touch.

“They came in through the back window and took the till, laptop and all my weekly orders,” she said.

“At the moment we are trying to piece things together from memory and I can go through my emails to recover things, but I also want people to get in touch to make sure we haven’t missed anything.”

Gemma said there was no security risk for customers because all personal and financial information was safely stored.

“My mum had gone into the shop that morning as it was my day off and I couldn’t believe it when she phoned me,” she said.

“Who wants to break into a florists? They must have been really desperate for money.

“I know many of my customers will be understanding in the circumstances, but I don’t want to let people down. I would urge anyone who has placed an order or booked a wedding to get in touch so I can go through the order again and make sure everything is in place.”

Anyone with information about the break-in should phone PC Mel Pitchford, at Malton Police Station, on 101. Alternatively, phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111, quoting reference number 12140010359.

• A 47-year-old man from Norton was arrested on Monday on suspicion of burglary and was later released on police bail until March 18.