Shopkeepers' anger at break-ins

WORRIED shopkeepers in Kingsholm fear drug addicts are behind a series of break-ins.

A number of businesses in the area have been targeted in recent weeks causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Traders believe local drug addicts are behind the crime wave.

Cheryl Brown, who runs TJ's Cafe on the corner of Worcester Street and St Catherine Street, said she is devastated after the latest break-in on Wednesday night.

"I have been here three and a half years and I have never seen anything like it," she said.

"You see a lot of druggies around here but you don't take any notice usually.

"This time they have broken in, gone through the till and stolen all the stock from the fridge.

"Fixing the door alone will be about £1,500 which is a lot for a small business."

Cheryl said she believed the area was in decline.

"All the businesses look out for each other around here," she said. "It used to be nice but it has been getting worse over the last six months."

Chris Duberley runs the butchers in Alvin Street.

His business has been targeted three times in the past few months, the most recent on Tuesday night.

He said: "This time they got in and took the charity boxes. They couldn't get at the meat because we padlock the fridges. But they broke the electricity cable on one of them.

"It is the druggies. We've had it before. We now have one fridge off being fixed and in this hot weather it makes it very difficult for ordering in stock.

"We have been here 30 years and we don't bother anyone. We've now got to get our door fixed and all these things take time and money."

Gloucestershire police confirmed they were investigating the incidents.

A spokesman said: "We take all incidents of burglaries very seriously and are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area of the last few days to contact the police as soon as possible.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to reassure local residents that incidents of burglary have seen a 43.6% reduction in this Inspector Neighbourhood Area. We will continue to be proactive in preventing such crimes and bringing offenders to justice."

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