BUSINESSES in Redditch Town centre are speaking out over persistent vandalism and are demanding better protection from West Mercia Police.
Three Cooks Cafe, in Church Green West, is the latest shop to have its windows smashed by yobs on Saturday night.
Owner Tim Cangaj said: “It’s so scary and this is the third time it’s happened in a matter of weeks. I can’t believe the windows have been smashed again.
“I am paying for this out of my own pocket and if it continues to happen I will have no business left.”
Now he has launched a petition among local businesses demanding more police patrols in the area on weekends.
Omer Palali, owner of Deniz Turkish Barber in Church Green, said: “Every Monday morning I am coming in and seeing glass everywhere. I think it’s people drinking on the weekends who are causing all the damage.
“I am scared because it is not a cheap fix. It’s actually very expensive.
“More than anything we’d like a police van on the weekend, parked on Church Green West corner, to prevent crime and help protect us.”
A number of shops have had their windows vandalised in recent times including Cover Insurance, Eye Deal Eye-Care and British Heart Foundation charity store.
Dean Corrigan, managing director at Heaphy’s Menswear on Evesham Walk said: “We do get a lot of vandalism on weekends. It happens in every town but the frequency is bad here.
“We haven’t experienced any here but in our old shop we had the shutter pulled up, broken and our windows smashed.
“I’ve noticed a few shops have been hit in recent weeks and I feel very sorry for them.”
Mr Cangaj has yet to take the matter to Redditch Borough Council but hopes to do so within the next few weeks.
Mark Chappell, Police Neighbourhood Inspector for Redditch, said: “We will do everything we can to investigate these crimes.
“I will be checking the CCTV in the area because we really want to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
If you have any information contact West Mercia Police on 101.
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