“Help, they’re destroying our businesses” - plea from Lola Ashleigh florists after thieves strike again

Lola Ashleigh florists on Oldham Road, is appealing for help after her business was broken into again during the early hours of Tuesday morning, 17 January

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Emma King, who runs Lola Ashleigh florists on Oldham Road, is appealing for help after her business was broken into again during the early hours of Tuesday morning, 17 January.

She said: “We’ve been broken into a number of times in recent months. Our shops are being targeted on a weekly basis. It was the jewellers last week and the chippy three times now. Help, they’re going to destroy our businesses. It’s not just the town centre; it’s the whole of Rochdale.

“I was close to calling it a day yesterday but I’m no quitter. The massive amount of help and support I received yesterday from friends, family, customers and the local PCSO team has been immense; the kindness shown has been phenomenal.

“It’s a shame the local PCSO team not around at night because they were fantastic.”

Nothing was taken during the break in, which left the property damaged, but glass was scattered across flowers for a child’s funeral.

Emma added CCTV footage was captured showing a lone burglar running away after the alarm was activated.

Rochdale Online has previously reported on an attempted break in at Lola Ashleigh and Rachel Wharmby’s Hair Salon next door in October 2016.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/105687/two-businesses-on-oldham-road-targeted-by-thieves

A spokesperson for GMP said: “Officers were called to reports of a break in at a property on Oldham Road just after 1.15am on 17 January.

“An unknown offender pulled exterior bars off the wall and removed a window grill before smashing a window which activated an alarm. The offender made off in an unknown direction.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

When contacted by Rochdale Online, other business owners on Oldham Road reported suspicious activity on Monday night and Tuesday morning, including multiple reports of smashed windows.

One shop owner, who asked not to be named, said the situation was ‘ridiculous’ and ‘diabolically bad’.

Another business, which did not wish to be identified, said somebody attempted to enter its premises through a back door at around 4.30pm on Monday evening, but immediately triggered an alarm and left.

Tony’s Chippy, next door but one to Lola Ashleigh, captured CCTV footage of an individual lurking at the rear of their business for a short period of time. They said a recent break in on 8 December 2016 was their seventh during seven years on Oldham Road.

It is thought these further incidents from earlier this week have not been reported to Greater Manchester Police.

Anyone with information about Tuesday’s break-in at Lola Ashleigh florists should contact police by calling 101 and quoting reference number 81 of 17/1/17, or by contacting Crimestoppers