Police called to break-in at Bond Street to Your Street on Tenterden high street
13:01, 11 January 2023
updated: 14:30, 11 January 2023
A fashion shop has been targeted by burglars in an overnight smash and grab – for the fifth time in three years.
Police are investigating after clothing was stolen from Bond Street to Your Street in Tenterden during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Forensic teams and officers were seen outside the high street shop yesterday following the incident, which happened at about 3am.
One of the front windows was seen to have been smashed, with glass on the pavement outside.
A police spokesman confirmed the force was "continuing to identify possible lines of enquiry into the incident," and is appealing for anyone with information to get in contact.
This is the latest in a long string to hit the store, which is averaging a break-in more than once every six months.
The most recent raid took place overnight on November 8, just three months ago, when £30,000 worth of stock was taken.
One man was arrested in connection with the break-in, while two more are due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to a separate break-in in June 2021.
A horrifying incident in February of this year saw a man assault a member of staff after being confronted with a stolen handbag in his backpack.
It is the latest in a long string of incidents to hit the store, which is averaging a break-in more than once every six months.
Owner Emma Pinfold said she had been targeted for "tens of thousands, if not over £100,000 in stock in the last two years.
“Then in terms of shoplifting, we are talking almost monthly," she said, adding that "every break-in costs more than money".
“With this last burglary [in November] I couldn’t have done any more. I did everything I was advised to do by the police and my insurance company, and they [the burglars] still made off with £30,000 in stock,” she said.
“They were in here for three-and-a-half minutes, which is a long time with alarms going off.
“It is incredibly hard to carry on with these things continuing to happen. They are hard monetarily, but also physically and emotionally.”
Speaking on the most recent incident, a police spokesman said: "We were called to Tenterden high street shortly before 9am on Tuesday where it was reported a shop had been broken into.
"The burglary is believed to have taken place at around 3am earlier that morning and a quantity of clothing was reported stolen.
"Officers attended the scene and are continuing to identify possible lines of enquiry into the incident."
Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the town last night, or who has private CCTV or dashcam footage taken in the high street which might assist the investigation, should call police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/5463/23.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form on their website.
Latest news
Features
Most popular
- 1
‘This rat-run bridge isn’t wide enough - someone will be killed soon’
- 2
Boy, 16, found safe after going missing nine days ago
2 - 3
Only shop in village to shut this week as ‘devastated’ couple leave Kent
16 - 4
A-road shut in both directions after water main bursts
- 5
Mum joined teen son in smashing up ex’s family home and car