Kentish Express Ashford & District
Owner of burgled salon fears gang is targeting small traders
Break-in to cost stylists estimated £3K in repairs and lost business
Police are investigating after burglars broke into a hairdressers and ransacked the inside.
Officers were called on Sunday morning to The Hair Shop in Hunter Road, Willesborough, after the cleaner found a smashed panel on the back door and a broken-down stockroom door.
Clare Drage runs the business with her twin sister, Alison Crust, and said charity boxes, a cash float and hairdressing equipment including straighteners, scissors and hair dryers were all taken overnight.
Mrs Drage said: “The thieves were quite professional. They’ve taken everything. They have poured milk from the fridge to get rid of their footprints, but the police forensics did manage to get one set of fingerprints.
“The back door was kicked in, so we feel empty at the moment. Lots of stock was taken. Our hairdressers haven’t got scissors at the moment and lots of tool bags were taken.
“I don’t have my scissors, and one member of staff is in her 50s and has used the same tool bag for her whole career which she is never going to get back. It’s just awful.
“We have got 11 girls working who are self-employed within the shop, and luckily some take their tool bags home with them, so this week we have had to borrow them for kit.”
She said that the early estimate for the cost of the damage and business losses was £3,000, and she feared there was a gang targeting small businesses in Willesborough.
Last week the Kentish Express reported a break-in at the RSPCA charity shop at Church Road in Willesborough. Thieves took jewellery and an empty till. And there are reports that other businesses in the area have also been targeted.
Mrs Drage said the response from customers and the community had been positive, with some bringing in flowers and others offering to donate dryers, straighteners or cash.
Police say the burglary at The Hair Shop took place between 4.30pm on Saturday, January 14 and 8.45am on Sunday, January 15.
Anyone with information about the theft should call 01843 222298 and quote ZY/1846/17.