PSNI scan Drumahoe CCTV footage

POLICE investigating a series of burglaries at businesses in Drumahoe on Friday night have confirmed that they are scanning CCTV footage to try and identify the perpetrators.

A chip shop, hairdressers, coffee shop and car wash were targeted and it is understood in one instance a charity box was stolen.

Muriel Frazer, supervisor at Bridie's Chip Shop, said the front door of the take away had been put in, but thankfully nothing had been touched.

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She said she believed that the burglars were looking for cash, but left when they could not find any.

"We could all do without his kind of hassle, it's not nice. I think when they did not find any money they went elsewhere," she said.

Muriel said that a boulder was found at the back of the shops, which she thinks may have been used to 'bash' the doors of other premises.

"We are just relieved that nothing has been damaged, they could have ransacked the place. Whoever was responsible seems to have been quite specific," she said.

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Meanwhile, Trevor Hewitt, owner of the Coffee Stop said the burglars had attempted to enter his premises by the back door, and there was evidence that they had attacked it, possibly with a sledgehammer, leaving a hole in the door.

"It looks like they have taken a crowbar and screwdrivers to it, and it looks like they have put a hole in the door with a sledgehammer. While they broke through the door they never actually gained access, so I'm very relieved when I think about the damage they could have done, but thankfully they did not get inside," he said.

Disgraceful

Condemning the damage community worker and general secretary at the YMCA in Drumahoe branded the break-ins as "quite disgraceful", revealing that two windows at the YMCA had also been broken.

"I believe that there are two things happening in Drumahoe at the minute. One is an increase in vandalism and anti-social behaviour and the other is that a criminal element seems to be operating in the area. I have spoken to the police and they have assured me they are going to be proactive in bringing these two disgraceful veins of behaviour to an end. It is a blight on the community," he said.

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A spokesman for the PSNI said detectives at Strand Road were investigating a number of break-ins in the area, confirming they had taken place in the early hours of Friday morning.

Confirming that police were now scanning CCTV footage from the car wash in a bid to identify those responsible, the spokesman said: "Entry was forced to a bakery on the Glenshane Road and charity boxes stolen. The door of a nearby chip shop was also forced open and a window smashed at the local hairdressers. The back door of a cafe was also forced open. Damage was also caused to a nearby car wash," he said.

"Police believe the incidents are linked and are appealing for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area around 2am to contact them," the spokesman said.

Anyone with information should call 0845 600 8000, or alternatively information can be passed on anonymously through the 'Crimestoppers' charity on freephone number 0800 555 111.

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