Children’ s store latest to be hit by ‘spate’ of crimes in town centre

Achildren’s store is the latest premises to be hit in what police are describing as a “spate” of break-ins around Broughty Ferry.

The Nappy Pin was broken into in the early hours of Wednesday, just over a week after barber shop Lovett’s was targeted in a theft worth £10,000.

Police say the two incidents are just the latest in a series of similar crimes in the Ferry, with officers now stepping up patrols in the area following “positive lines of inquiry”.

Shop owner Anita Stewart has told how she was woken up shortly after 1am on Wednesday to the shock news someone had broken through the frame of the door before raiding the till.

The thief is believed to have taken around £200.

Ms Stewart said the culprit made his way into the shop in the dead of night, similar to the theft at Lovett’s overnight on Sunday January 9.

CCTV from the Anchor Inn, a pub only a few feet away, captured footage of the man believed to be responsible mounting a bike before cycling off.

People living in the flat above the shop heard strange noises and called the police before calling Anita.

“Upstairs heard banging so what they think he’s done was to obviously shoulder his way in to break the frame,” Anita said.

“Although the glass was only shattered he managed to swing enough to the side and then squeeze in. Clearly he just wanted what was in the till.

“Meanwhile the flat upstairs has already reported it and they said the police came in about five minutes, so he must have had very little time in here.

“He managed to swing the till around and get it open. I don’t know how he managed to get it open but he got it opened and took the whole till drawer out, squeezed back into the same space in the door, picked his bike up where he left it.”

CCTV footage from another pub, the Royal Arch, also caught the cyclist trying the door of bakers Goodfellow & Steven and showed him heading towards another pub before cycling towards Monifieth.

The Nappy Pin break-in marks the second theft incident on Gray Street this month.

And Ms Stewart says many business owners are concerned about the situation.

She praised the quick response by officers who arrived immediately and made sure she was safe on the night.

The family-owned shop has been open for 40 years and Anita says local people have been hugely supportive by checking in on her and two other staff members.

Police Scotland has confirmed various similar crimes are being linked in the area, including at least one other break-in to a business in Monifieth in January.

Chief Inspector Ross

Fitzgerald said: “We are aware of a recent spate of crimes impacting upon commercial properties in the Broughty Ferry area.

“Officers are working to identify those responsible for these crimes and are following a number of positive lines of inquiry.

“We have increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance to business owners and offered crime prevention surveys to those affected.

“I would encourage anyone who has information regards these crimes to contact Police Scotland.”

The force confirmed officers attended the Nappy Pin at around 12.50am and the incident is now part of the wider investigation.

CONCERN: The Nappy Pin owner Anita Stewart says businesses are worried after the shop was the latest to be hit. Picture by Mhairi Edwards.