A grocery shop in Chitpore has been burgled and packets of detergent powder and cartons of biscuits on the front rack were stolen.

Essentials have become valuables, courtesy the lockdown imposed to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Grocery shops are allowed to stay open during the lockdown. The one in Chitpore that has been burgled was stocked with essential items such as rice, pulses, spices, soap, detergent powder and biscuits.

When the owner turned up to open the shop at H/1 Dum Dum Road on Monday morning, he found the wooden door broken. Inside, a large quantity of essential items were missing.

“The burglars had broken a side of the wooden door to enter the shop,” said an officer of Chitpore police station.

The shop is located in a neighbourhood lined with commercial stores and residential buildings. Sources said police had not found any CCTV camera that covers the area of the alleged theft.

People have been rushing to collect and store essentials since the lockdown started around three weeks ago so they have enough to feed their families for days and do not have to step out often. There are instances of families stocking up for an entire month.

“Since grocery shops are open every day, people should not stock essential items in excessive amounts. That may create a crisis in the market and encourage blackmarketing,” said an officer at Lalbazar.

“If there is a scarcity of a particular item in the market, it becomes easier to sell the product at a premium,” the officer said.

Dry food such as cakes and biscuits have been on the priority list of many for stocking at home.

Last week, a readymade garments shop in New Market, which has been closed since the lockdown started, was robbed of 30 pairs of jeans. Two men were arrested in connection with the theft.