Bradford break-ins cause 'emotional distress'

CCTV cameras captured one burglar inside the Pawpaw fresh tea and ice cream shop during a second break-in

Police are investigating a number of burglaries on shops in Bradford city centre.

The latest happened at the CeX electronics retail and repair shop in Broadway around 02:52 on Tuesday.

A second shop, Pawpaw fresh tea and ice cream, in nearby Bank Street has been targeted twice on 9 April and 18 April.

Police have made one arrest and said they were "keeping an open mind" as to whether any of the incidents were linked.

The latest break-in was at the CeX electronics retail and repair shop on Broadway

Each break-in has left shop owners with costly repairs and lost business

Lisa Zhan the manager of Pawpaw said: "We only opened this shop two months ago and experienced this.

"It not only cause us financial problems but also emotional distress for the owner and employees.

"Also as girls we feel less safe working at night.

"Even though they only took £20, fixing a glass door is also very expensive and also reduced our business because we need to wait for it to be fixed so we couldn't open."

She said the shop now had additional security measures and no longer kept cash on the premises.

Police are appealing to the public to help them identify those responsible for the burglaries

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said there were ongoing investigations into the the break-in at CeX and the second one at Pawpaw and appealed for witnesses.

She said the CCTV from the first break-in at Pawpaw was too blurry to be of use and "evidential difficulties" meant there was no further action to be taken.

"There is a proactive operation with the Bradford City Neighbourhood Policing team currently in place and so far the team have made one arrest in connection with a burglary in the city centre.

"In relation to linking these burglaries, we are keeping an open mind but nothing to suggest they are at this moment in time."