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Fear and frustration for businesses targeted in wave of break-ins

Richard MorganBBC News NI
News imageBBC Daniel is looking directly at the camera. He is wearing a green t-shirt and has a black apron on top. He is standing in front of a grey panelled wall and there is a blue neon sign to the right of the image which says 'treat yourself'. BBC
Daniel Mclhone's business was broken into at the beginning of February

Fear and frustration is being felt by businesses targeted as part of a wave of burglaries just outside Belfast, a coffee shop owner has said.

Daniel McIlhone's shop is one of a number of businesses in the Dunmurry area, including a hair salon, dog groomers and others, that have lost cash and stock in break-ins in the last fortnight.

The police have linked six incidents but it is understood up to 12 businesses, including those in nearby Killeaton and Lambeg, have been hit.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said it will step up patrols in the Dunmurry area in response.

McIlhone said his business has been open five years and there had "never been anything close to this".

He said there is anger within the local business community.

"From my perspective, and I'm sure other business owners would feel the same, we feel fear and frustration, and we want to get back to normal," The Hub Coffee owner told the BBC's Evening Extra programme.

His business was robbed overnight between Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February.

"They came in through the back and took what was in the till," McIlhone said.

It was one of a number of incidents in the area confirmed by the PSNI including:

  • A robbery at a dog groomers on 26 January
  • Four businesses burgled at a business complex in Kingsway on 4 February, in which small sums of cash were taken
  • Forced entry to an electronics shop on Lambeg Road and a hair salon in Kingsway overnight on Friday 6 February into Saturday

Thomas Patterson, who owns a hair salon within the Kingsway complex, said he was in "complete shock" when he realised the front window of his business had been "completely smashed through".

News imageThomas has black hair and is looking directly at the camera. He is wearing a black t-shirt and is standing in front of a a wall with colourful wallpaper.
Thomas Patterson said the front window of his shop was completely smashed

"People don't realise the trauma this causes, because it affects everyone in the salon," he added.

Patterson said he remains fearful because of the damage the attack caused.

"All we can do now is stay positive and stay more secure in the future.

"The three other businesses are devastated."

Insp McAleavy, from the PSNI's West Belfast Local Policing Team, said in a statement: "We are investigating a potential link between these incidents and in response to these reports we plan on showing an increased presence in the area."

The senior police officer appealed for information.