'Under Siege' High Road Shops Brace For More Attacks
Boots latest victim Of 'smash and grab' moped thieves
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Chiswick High Road retailers are expecting further night time raids following a spate of attacks on premises over the last few weeks including one on a charity shop. Beleaguered retailers believe that if the problem continues it could force some shops to close and transform the look of the High Road.
Boots had its front door smashed by moped 'smash and grab' thieves this Wednesday (3 July) in the latest incident.
A local resident said she had been awakened by the noise of an alarm and a motorbike revving at around 2.20am. She saw two men wearing dark clothing and helmets outside the shop. One smashed his way in then ran out holding a sack, jumped on the pillion and the bike turned towards Hammersmith at speed. She phoned the police who arrived quickly on the scene.
The shop was open for business as usual next day with a boarded up door.
This was the most recent in a series of shops having their front doors or windows smashed by criminals using mopeds. There are reports that baseball bats are being used to smash the plate glass windows.
A cancer charity shop, Greggs bakery, Boots, Robert Dyas and a bike shop have all been victims of this sort of crime in the past few weeks.
One local trader said, "If the number of attacks continue at this level then eventually insurance companies will start insisting on metal shutters to protect shop fronts. This extra expense is the last thing that retailers in Chiswick need right now and it will change to look of the High Road to an area that is under siege.
"There are dozens of CCTV cameras on the High Road and it is legitimate for business owners to ask why they aren't being utilised to help this sort of crime rather than just motoring offences."
When asked about one of the earlier attacks a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said, "Police were called at around 9.05am on Tuesday, 25 June to reports of a break-in at a commercial property on Chiswick High Road.
It is believed a glass panel in the front door was smashed to gain entry.
An untidy search was carried out a small quantity of cash stolen."
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July 7, 2019
