Ludlow businesses raided for cash and stock
Burglars hit three Ludlow town centre businesses in two nights, making off with cash and stock worth thousands – but leaving their ladder and tools behind.
Ludlow's small independent shops have been left reeling after the spate of break-ins, the most serious of which happened at Broad Bean, a whole-food delicatessen in Broad Street.
Tim Gaudin, who owns the shop along with brother Nick and sister-in-law Deborah, said the intruders had come in through the roof, but then broke out of the back door with their haul, which included thousands of pounds in cash and spirits.
He said: "I arrived at about 8.30am on Sunday morning and discovered a ladder up against one of the skylights and thought 'What's going on? Nick must be here for some reason, what on earth is he doing?' .
"But then I noticed some gaps in the stock, and found the cash takings from Friday and Saturday gone. They forced the safe off the wall and it cracked all around that."
Bob Leech, proprietor at Bakers restaurant and cafe in Tower Street, said he had arrived to a similar shock that morning. Nothing was taken but the culprits, who tried to get in, left their tools behind.
He said: "I don't know whether someone disturbed them, because they left all their tools behind, which police have taken away for forensics."
The night before The Parkway Restaurant, off Corve Street – the rear of which is close to Bakers – was burgled. Owner Julie Street said thieves had entered through the second floor bathroom window and left with about £1,000 in cash from the till, staff tips and a tin full of £1 coins.
Sergeant Adrian Woolley, speaking for West Mercia Police, said investigations were continuing and CCTV being checked. He said they could not be sure the burglaries were linked as yet, but it was likely.
Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area on either night should contact police on 101, he said.
