A businessman, forced to sleep on the floor of his shop after two break ins in a week, has revealed how the support of other businesses has given him the resolve to keep going.
Chris Miles has had to spend hundreds of pounds for new front doors and a security gate after a gang twice kicked their way into his coffee shop, Refresh, in Cheapside, Bradford.
Mr Miles, 33, had only opened for business eight weeks ago.
And he revealed that he was so afraid of the raiders returning, he had been sleeping in the shop to protect it.
Now he has told how local business bosses have helped out after reading in the Telegraph & Argus about the smash and grab offences.
“A lot of people from surrounding businesses have been coming in and having a coffee and supporting me,” he said.
“They have been very positive. Some have said they have been through similar experiences and have offered practical help and advice about how to deal with it.
“I was feeling very down about things, but they have given me the strength to keep going.”
Mr Miles said he had received a number of visits from police community support officers. “They tell me that I am on their radar. It’s encouraging to know they have got their eyes and ears on my property.”
The same hooded raiders are thought to be responsible for both break ins. CCTV captured them on film. They stole only packets of crisps and bottles of pop in the raids.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We are currently studying CCTV footage. There have been no arrests at this stage, but inquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with information about the idiot raiders should contact Bradford South CID, via 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.