BUSINESS owners in Barnard Castle have spoke of their anger and devastation after their shops were hit during a spate of overnight burglaries.
About £20,000 worth of stock is believed to have been stolen from Nimbus Vape Shop, in Galgate, during the early hours of Tuesday, May 15.
Owner Ian Mulley was devastated when he discovered all of the stock in the shop – which includes electronic cigarettes and liquids – had been taken, as well as back stock in the storeroom.
The 19-year-old, who took over the business one year ago, said: “At six o’clock I got a phone call to say the shop had been broken into.
“All of our stock has been taken. They have even taken all of our back stock.
“It is a bit of a nightmare really. It has left me feeling really annoyed. I have never had any shoplifting or anything.
“We are going to try to get open as soon as we can. I have had to turn so many customers away.”
Just around the corner, Phil and Sandra Appleby, who run The Sandra Parker Studio in Horse Market, were also hit during the burglary spree.
No stock was stolen or left damaged as a result of the break-in but money was stolen from the till.
Mr Appleby said: “We got a phone call at 8.50am from another shop owner and had two calls from members of the public to say we had been broken into. They have taken cash but it is just float. We never keep any more cash here overnight.
“It is the door that they’ve damaged too. We are annoyed. We have lost trade already this morning because we can’t let people in. It is also the aggravation and what we now have to do to put it right.
“We will lose business. Nothing like this has ever happened to us here before.”
Mrs Appleby added: “There was no damage to any stock thank goodness. They have just been after easy cash. It is a lot of effort for little cash. Luckily it was just a smash and grab. You just don’t expect this to happen.”
The couple have been running the business for the past two years and were shocked to find that there is no CCTV in the town.
Mrs Appleby said: “I assumed there would be CCTV in the town. We must be the only town in County Durham without CCTV.”
Mr Appleby added: “The only way we will get CCTV is if people get together as shop owners and put some pressure on the matter. I don’t blame the police for that.
“They have cuts left right and centre but there should be CCTV in the town and they should find a way.”
Mr Mulley also agreed that CCTV should be introduced in the town to prevent such incidents from happening again.
He said: “I think there should be CCTV in the town.
“It gives you a bit more security when you are sat at home on a night. It would stop things like this from happening. If they know there is CCTV they won’t risk doing it in case they are caught. You don’t expect it to happen in a town this small.”
The Moody Baker was also burgled and attempts were made to break into Katie’s Traditional Fish and Chip Shop.
Later in Gainford attempts were made to remove a car to gain access into the garage. Extensive damage was caused to the vehicle.
Insp Ed Turner, from Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Team, said: “I would like to reassure the residents of Barnard Castle and its surrounding areas that this is a rare incident.”
l A 29-year-old man from Hartlepool has been arrested on suspicion of burglary.
Leon Robinson appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 16.
He has been charged with 13 offences including three burglaries, one attempted burglary, criminal damage, assaulting a police officer and various motoring offences.
Mr Robinson was remanded in custody. He will appear before Durham Crown Court on June 18.
