Nottinghamshire launches investigation after break-in spree in shops in Appleton Gate, Carter Gate and Middle Gate.
An investigation has been launched following a break-in spree in Newark town centre overnight.
Nottinghamshire Police is investigating the crimes as City Goldsmiths, Oxfam, K&H and Kings Turkish Barber — had their windows smashed and some items were stolen including a charity box and jewellery.
The break-ins and criminal damage were discovered around 5.15am today (July 25) but took place hours earlier.
Each of the incidents happened between 2am and 2.30am. The police believe all of them to be linked.
Empty tills taken from two of the shops were also found to have been discarded on nearby streets by intruders.
The stolen items are believed to have been taken from businesses based in Appleton Gate, Carter Gate and Middle Gate.
A fourth store in Carter Gate also had its windows damaged, although nothing was stolen from within.
City Goldsmiths has been a victim of vandalism for fourth time.
The owners, Jonathan and Christina Mcneil said: “We are gutted, this is shocking.”
“We had incidents around the back with children crawling.
“People keep reporting that the vandalism is down in Newark, but it is not, it is all over the place.”
PC Marcus Bloomfield, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are in the process of analysing available CCTV footage to establish exactly what happened and who could have been responsible.
“Each of these local businesses were vandalised, while several of them were broken into and had property taken from within them too.
“We know that at least two of the stores had their tills stolen, while a charity box was even taken from one of the stores, which is absolutely disgraceful.
“At this stage, we’re working on the basis that each of these incidents could be linked, so as a result will involve the same people.
“Despite this happening in the middle of the night, it took place in a busy part of the town centre, so there is a chance one of these incidents may have been witnessed by someone.
“If this was you and you saw what happened, or you have any information that could assist our investigation, we’d ask that you get in touch.
“Likewise, we want to hear from anyone who has any CCTV, dash-cam or other footage that could be of use to us.”
People who have information on these crimes are asked to call the police on 101, quoting incident 73 of 25 July 2024, or can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
