Business owners hit in spate of burglaries

Andrew Barnett said a roof tile was used to smash a window in an attempt to get into his business in Biddulph

Business owners have been targeted in a spate of burglaries and attempted break-ins in a Staffordshire town.

There were three in the space of five days on High Street, Biddulph, according to the owner of Biddulph Domestic Services, whose premises were subject to a failed break-in attempt.

The owner of nearby Premier Hairdressing, Linda Smith, said her business had been burgled, leaving staff "very upset".

A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the burglaries, Staffordshire Police said.

Several pieces of equipment, including hairdryers and clippers, were stolen in the burglary on 4 April at Premier Hairdressing, which Ms Smith said was "not a very nice thing to happen."

She added: "We have been here for 23 years. It's never happened before and we are very upset about it".

Some of the items that had been stolen were found and returned by her clients after they were spotted dumped in bins or dropped, Ms Smith said.

"We keep finding bits of evidence so we'll see what happens."

Hairdryers and clippers were among the equipment taken from Premier Hairdressing

The second burglary saw a laptop and other electronics taken from a different firm on the street, police said.

The third case was an attempted burglary at Biddulph Domestic Service on Wednesday.

While a window in their front door was smashed with a roof tile at the company, owner Andrew Barnett said security glass stopped burglars getting any further.

He added he was not worried about further attempts but was frustrated by the cost of repairing the damage.

"It's just the expense and the time it consumes. They're not cheap these reinforced glass doors," Mr Barnett said.

"I think it's going to be about £300-400 for the piece of glass for the door and somebody to fit as well.

"With there being half a dozen break-ins in a week I hate to think what next year's [insurance] premium's going to be."

The 30-year-old man, of no fixed abode, arrested over the break-ins, was in custody and would be questioned, Insp Karen Cooke said.

"We don’t underestimate the damage that theft and burglary can have. We’re committed to acting on people’s concerns", she added.