Vandals throw cans of paint over shopfront
OWNERS DEVASTATED BY MINDLESS ATTACK
THE owners of a family-run shop have spoken of their devastation after paint was thrown over the front of their business.
Two people were pictured on CCTV footage throwing the paint outside Sumal Stores on Albert Street, Newark on Monday at around 11pm.
Manager Narinder Sumal, 47, whose family have worked at the shop for 38 years, said: “When I saw the paint all over I was just completely in shock, we were devastated.
“For us we were just looking at it and thinking how long it would take to clean up and sort everything else.
“It’s a lot of paint and everything is going to have to be replaced, it was all over the shop shutters and canopy and the pavement.
“The shutters were washed but everything is going to have to be replaced afterwards.”
Ms Sumal, who has been in charge of the shop for 13 years and has another shop in Bulwell, said her parents and customers were devastated by the damage.
She added: “My parents have had the shop 38 years and this is the first time something like this has happened; we’re a pillar of the community, we’ve never experienced anything like this.
“When my dad came to the shop he had tears in his eyes when he saw it, it made him very emotional.
“The support we have had from our customers and friends has been fantastic. Days after I’ve had people messaging me and dropping off jet washers or cleaning solutions to help out. That’s helped to restore my faith a lot in people.”
Ms Sumal said she was confused about the motivation behind the attack.
“I just want to ask these lads why they have done this, I just don’t understand why they would do it, what was going through their heads and made them do this to us,” she said.
“They’ve gone out of their way to get the paint and throw it and left it all behind for us to clear up.
“I don’t know [the motive] what it would be, maybe we refused them service and then they did this.”
Sergeant Matthew Ward, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are aware of an incident of criminal damage in Albert Street, Newark, on December 28, and are thoroughly investigating the incident. “This was a mindless act of vandalism that has caused considerable cost and damage to not only the business but also brickwork and pavements in the immediate surrounding areas.
“We understand the deep frustration people feel after incidents like this and the impact they can have not only financially but emotionally too.
“Our officers are working incredibly hard to investigate what’s happened and are carrying out enquiries to find the people responsible but we are keen to speak to any local residents who may have any information about what happened.
“Anyone with any information or CCTV footage is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting incident number 244 of December 28.”
I’ve had people messaging me and dropping off jet washers or cleaning solutions to help out.
Narinder Sumaln