City Centre shops hit by crime wave

Shops and salons in Bridge Street, Castle Street and Sloan Street were targeted last week, while a hairdressers in Bachelors Walk was broken into in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The crime spree continued on Thursday morning (February 18) when businesses in Bridge Street, Sloan Street and Graham Gardens were targeted.

Pastor Brian Agnew from Kingdom Life City Church which had it glass door shattered overnight and a till containing 80 in cash stolen, said: "The city is being terrorised and everyone is in fear of who will be next."

Pamela Kennedy from Posh Nails in Bridge Street was shocked and outraged when her salon was broken into last Friday morning (February 12). The door was smashed in, jewellery was stolen and the till was later found empty and abandoned in the nearby Health Centre car park.

"Everyone in Bridge Street is totally disgusted," said Pamela. "We had to come in on Saturday to clear up the mess. I don't care about the stock because it can be replaced but I feel violated."

Pamela also criticised the operation of the CCTV cameras in the area, which the police confirmed were not pointing at the shops during the break-ins. "We need the CCTV cameras in the area on at night and pointing at our shops," added Pamela.

Wedding Inspirations, which is also in Bridge Street, was targeted by thieves the previous night. Owner Marian Doncaster explained that she purposely left money in the till in the hope that if someone broke into her shop they would take the money and leave her stock undamaged. "This is the second time we have been broken into," she explained. "It just makes me think 'is it worth it?'"

Barber shop Blood and Bandages was also broken into during the early hours of Friday morning (February 12), and there was an attempted break in at Tapered Edge Hairdressers in Gregg Street the same night, although the robbers were unable to make it through the toughened glass which had been installed in the salon.

This week the crime spree continued when robbers smashed down the door at Chocolate Hair in Bachelor's Walk and stole the float tin. On this occasion the robbers fled before taking the till and owners Rachael Young and Katrina Jackson believe they were "spooked" when the alarm went off.

"We are absolutely gutted and totally devastated," said Rachael. "When we moved in here two years ago we completely refurbished the place and now the door and frame have been wrecked. It has knocked our confidence but our clients have been very supportive.

"It is business as usual," she added. "We won't let them beat us."

The crime spree continued on Thursday morning (February 18) when Man Grooming in Bridge Street, the Hub Cafe in Sloan Street and the Kingdom Life City Church were also targeted.

John Sharract from Man Grooming insisted it would be "business as usual" at his salon after his door was smashed but he added: "It is beyond a joke, what are the police doing? It is scandalous."

Pastor Brian Agnew from Kingdom Life City Church explained their glass door had been shattered overnight and a till, containing 80 in cash was stolen. "The city is being terrorised and everyone is in fear of who will be next," he said.

The Hub Cafe, part of Atlas Women's Centre in Sloan Street, also had a window smashed and till stolen during the early hours of Thursday morning (February 18).

Manager Gay Sherry-Bingham said everyone was "totally gutted" by the attack. "Police are supposed to be on patrol so why didn't they see anything?" she asked. "We are surrounded by houses here as well so somebody might have heard something."

She added that a garage and bakery in Sloan Street were also broken into last week.

Local businesspeople have said they are frustrated at what they see as a lack of action by the police and are calling for increased patrols and better use of CCTV cameras in the city.

Lisburn Councillor David Archer is seeking a meeting with local police to discuss the situation. "At a time when small businesses are facing trying times in this present economic climate a rise in such burglaries is extremely worrying and needs to be addressed," said Mr Archer.

"I have asked to meet with senior PSNI personnel to discuss what measures they can take to combat this growing menace and give extra attention."

Police in Lisburn have appealed for local businesses and members of the public to remain vigilant. A spokesperson for the police also urged people to report any suspicious activity to them as a matter of urgency.

Anyone with any information about the latest incidents, or who has seen any suspicious activity in the city, can contact the police in Lisburn on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively members of the public can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111