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Newsagent M.S.Cheney in High Street was burgled on May 27. The loss, combined with the damage caused to the shop, has cost owner Jagpal Minhas more than £5,000
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Crime spree crackdown in Bracknell town centre

By Mike Pyle
June 29, 2009

A crime spree, costing town centre shops thousands of pounds, has prompted police to ramp up evening patrols around Bracknell’s deserted service yards.

More than one shop a week on average is burgled in the town centre and shopkeepers are warning the break-ins could force some of them out of business.

Between April 2008 and March 2009 there were 56 raids in the town centre, up 19 per cent on the year before.

There have been six between March and May.

Managers and owners of shops say the intruders are breaking into back door entrances because the service yards are empty and deserted after working hours.

Newsagent M.S.Cheney in High Street was burgled on May 27. The thieves took cigarettes and cash.

The loss, combined with the damage caused to the shop, has cost owner Jagpal Minhas more than £5,000.

He said: “We have been broken into three times – first of all three months ago, then two months ago and then on the night Manchester United played Barcelona [May 27].

“They’re even doing it in daylight, at around 9pm but there’s no one there.

“We’re not making enough money for this to carry on.

“There’s no business in the town centre – if this happens much more we will be out of business.”

Paul Stamp, owner of DA’s Bracknell Barbers, just two doors down, has had his shop broken into twice this year, most recently in April when computer equipment was taken.

He said: “If this was any other area there would be a camera, or a resident to notice what’s going on.

“But because it’s here they’ve got hours to force their way in.”

Jenningsbet in Crossway was hit on Saturday, April 4 – the day of the Grand National. An alarm alerted police but thieves still got away with TV set.

Manager Chris Simpson said: “The service yard has no lighting so we’re very vulnerable.

“The damage and the TV comes out of the shop’s budget and we’re struggling just like everybody else.”

Fresco deli next door has also been burgled. In April intruders came in through the back door, and took a TV and cash.

Owner Hakan Mete said: “I’ve only lived in Bracknell for a year and a half, but it’s getting worse.

“And to make things worse, you go to the police and they give you a crime reference number but they don’t do anything else.”

Bracknell police have responded to the rise in crime by pledging to put greater security around the town and are offering free security checks to businesses from one of their crime prevention officers.

A police spokesman said: “We are aware of the break-ins. Town centre sergeant Graham Smith and his team have stepped up their patrols after hours and in the service yards.

“Crime prevention officer John Oblein will go round to any premises that wants it and give them tailor-made advice if they want it.”

Call 0845 8 505 505 and ask for the crime prevention team to visit.

A spokeswoman for Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP), which runs the shopping centre, said: “BRP has been working with the police to keep the crime rate in Bracknell town centre as low as possible.”

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Mr Minhas, I feel your pain. The police need to keep a lid on this place, after all it's a one horse town, it shouldn't be too hard. Everyone seems to know everyone else, so someone should know whos commiting these crimes. I'd never venture into the town centre after business hours - what's to go for? - i imagine it's just tumbleweed and streetdrinkers. Like Mr Minhas says, there's no business there.