FEARS over the safety of the Co-op in Tranent’s Windygoul area have been raised.

The store on Brotherstone’s Way was broken into earlier this month, with a quantity of cigarettes and alcohol taken during the early-morning raid.

The incident, in the early hours of May 10, was the second time inside a year that the store has been targeted by thieves.

Last week, ward councillors and members of the town’s community council voiced concern that little was being done to tighten security at the store, which is next door to Windygoul Primary School.

Robert McNeill, a member of Tranent and Elphinstone Communitty Council (TECC), said: “It is the second time in a short space of time and it is in a fairly remote location.

“It is a busy store at certain times –when the schools are going in and when they’re coming out – but there are times when it can be quite quiet and there can only be one member of staff visible at times. It is quite vulnerable.”

Colin McGinn, a newly-elected East Lothian councillor for the ward, said: “The last time [it was targeted] it was one of a few but after that they had some security on the doors for a few days.

“That is not going to make a lot of difference when it’s being targeted in the small hours.”

And Kenny McLeod, another ward councillor, added: “It is worrying that this is not the first time it has happened.

“It would seem to me like this has not been a random attack as well, which is a concern.”

Mr McNeill, who chaired the TECC meeting in Elphinstone Primary School last Tuesday evening, added that the group’s concerns should be passed on to the police.

A Co-op spokesperson said: “Safety and security is of the utmost importance and we are working closely with the police and crime prevention bodies to implement a range of security measures which act to deter criminal activity and increase the likelihood of convictions.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland, meanwhile, confirmed that enquires were still ongoing into the incident.

Anyone with information should contact police by phoning 101.