Night Time Attacks on Chiswick Shops Continue
Chemist and motor spares shop latest to suffer in spate of raids
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The spate of night time attacks on retail premises on Chiswick High Road has continued unabated this week.
On Sunday night (7 July) the glass door of Campbells Chemist at 300 Chiswick High Road was smashed. Then on Wednesday the TR motor spares shop at the eastern end of the High Road was also reportedly hit.
Eyewitness have reported that some of the attacks have been made by persons on motor scooters. It is not entirely clear whether the motive is robbery or just vandalism as in many cases only damage has been caused with no goods taken. There were a series of robberies of motorists by thieves on mopeds earlier in the evening prior to the attack on the motor spares shop. We have asked police if they are connecting the two crimes but have not yet received a response.
Beleaguered local traders now say that the problem is becoming so severe that there is a risk of insurance premiums rising even for businesses that have not been directly affected. One reports that there is pressure from insurers to install metal grilles on the front of the premises which he says will significantly degrade the look of Chiswick High Road.
The previous week Boots had its front door smashed by moped 'smash and grab' thieves. A local resident said she had been awakened by the noise of an alarm and a motorbike revving at around 2.20am on Wednesday 3 July. 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.
Other reports suggest 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.
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 14, 2019
