Low Fell independent traders 'worried at what they're going to find' after several burglaries in area
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveBusiness owners in Low Fell say they are worrying about what they're going to find when arriving at their premises in the morning after several alleged burglaries in recent months.
Two men, aged 41 and 43, were arrested in connection with burglaries which affected at least six premises last weekend, and have since been bailed. A further burglary was reported at a premises on Beacon Lough Road on Wednesday morning, with police "keeping an open mind" that the burglaries are linked.
David Gorham, who owns D.E. Gorham Butchers, saw his shop broken into for a second time in the early hours of last Sunday morning. He said: "You're coming into the shop worrying what you're going to find, or you're going home worry if everything is going to be okay, especially in the run up to Christmas when it's my busiest time of year.
"You're just worrying about what's going to happen. We're waiting for either a call off the police or someone on Facebook saying you better come up."
Mr Gorham spent six hours in the shop last Sunday, on what should be his day off, clearing up glass and waiting for a new window to be fitted. In addition to the two reported burglaries, there has been a further unsuccessful break-in attempt in recent months.
He said: "Everybody is getting a bit annoyed. You're hearing about break-ins every day but they're not taking anything.
"They broke into here and didn't take anything at all. They couldn't find any money."
Judith Parkin, who owns Pets 'n Bitz on Beaconsfield Road, wasn't targeted in the latest round of burglaries, but reported one to police four weeks ago. Ironically, last Saturday morning she "felt safe" for the first time in weeks after having shutters put up.
She told ChronicleLive: "Saturday night was the first night I felt a bit safe because I have got the shutters put up, but then six other businesses were robbed. But they were expensive, and so was boarding up and getting new glass.
"That's coming out of my business and it's not worth claiming on your insurance so it's a massive inconvenience. It's not very good for customers either when they can't get served.
Judith has lived in the area for 37 years. She finished: "It used to be a lovely place, Low Fell, but this has been going on for quite a while.
"Some places have been done more than once. I feel that whoever's doing this are just laughing at the police."
Keith Dawson of KD Lock & Key on Beaconsfield Road also feels he has been forced to put shutters up after two break-ins on two consecutive weekends, the most recent occurring last Sunday (November 17). He said: "It's disgusting, I get burgled and burgled again, and it's always inconvenient.
"We're regrouping and we get on with it but it shouldn't be happen. It doesn't matter what time of years it happens, it's always going to be an inconvenience."
It's not just independent businesses who have suffered either. The Beaconsfield Pub is under the management of Greene King, and was the victim of a break-in in the early hours of Saturday, November 16.
A spokesperson for Greene King said: "Thankfully nobody was harmed and we are grateful to the police who promptly attended the pub after we contacted them. We can confirm nothing was taken from the pub and we are back open and trading as usual."
One business which has so far evaded any break-ins is the Rare Drop, also on Beaconsfield Road. Calvin Lawson, who took over the businesses a year ago, said that local businesses were set to meet with the council to discuss promoting the tourism offering, but break-ins and security will now be at the top of the agenda.
He has shutters on the front and back doors of his business, which he considers a "natural deterrent". He also noted that previous break-ins have appeared to target businesses which may have cash on the premises, rather than the theft of high-value goods.
He said: "Carrying a bottle of champagne is harder than a fistful of fivers. If they steal a bottle of champagne, it's easier to trace."
Gateshead and Whickham MP Mark Ferguson told Parliament on Wednesday he was "absolutely disgusted" by the spate of burglaries. He asked policing minister Dame Diana Johnson MP how the Government's new package of reforms will tackle high street crime.
Dame Diana replied: "Our package of measures will deal with antisocial behaviour, put in place the neighbourhood policing guarantee, allow new prosecutions under the legislation we will introduce about assaults on retail workers, and get rid of the £200 threshold for shop theft cases to go forward.
"One approach will not solve the problems, so we will ensure we have a whole package of measures to make high streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer and to allow businesses to thrive. We need businesses to thrive so that they can pay their taxes, and we can invest that money back into public services."
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "We are aware of a number of recent burglary reports in the Low Fell area of Gateshead. We are currently keeping an open mind as to whether these incidents are linked."
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