SHOP windows in Redditch town centre have once again been targeted by vandals over the weekend.
Three Cooks Bakery in Church Green West has had its windows smashed-in for the third time in a matter of weeks, and staff are furious at not only the trail of destruction but also a seeming lack of response from the authorities.
Owner Tim Cangaj, aged 49, said: “It’s so disheartening to come back to work and find the windows have been smashed again.
“The repair costs are coming out of my own pocket and if this continues we will have no choice but to close the business.
“We do not feel safe and I know we are not the only ones that feel this way.”
Now Mr Cangaj has started gathering signatures from other establishments in the area many of which have had their windows smashed as well.
British Heart Foundation, just a few doors down from Three Cooks Bakery, and Cover Insurance on Unicorn Hill also had their windows smashed recently.
Staff at Cover Insurance say the business has been hit numerous times over the last 18 months, and say they spent more than £1,500 last year alone window repairs.
Mr Cangaj claims police have told him they are too understaffed to have a team watch over the area on the weekends and is contacting the borough council to see what it can do.
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.”
