Shop burgled 10 times in a year (From Free Press Series)

Shop burgled 10 times in a year

CHEPSTOW trader Mick Mason says he is determined not to be forced out of his business despite being raided more than thirty times in the last ten years.

Mr Mason runs the key cutting and engraving shop Cobbler's Cabin in Rifleman's Way, Chepstow, and he has been burgled at least ten times in the last twelve months.

The latest break-in happened on Sunday night when thieves smashed their way through the front window, causing £1,000 worth of damage.

A number of golfing trophies were stolen along with a working antique statue of a cobbler, named 'Fred' by local people, estimated to be worth £1,000.

Thieves even ripped down a dummy CCTV camera installed in the property to deter intruders.

Mr Mason believes his business is vulnerable to break-ins because it is in a dark alley which is not covered by the town's CCTV system.

But despite experiencing more than 30 break-ins since opening the shop in 1993, he says he does not want to sell up.

He said: "I won't be forced out by this break-in, but I am going to have to make the shop more secure.

"There is not a man big enough to move me, but it is inconvenient to have to repair the shop all the time. I will make the shop more secure and I will have to put bars and grills in here." Mr Mason is also calling on the police to put a CCTV camera in Rifleman's Way.

He said: "The police do not have the man power and their limited resources have to cover Bulwark and all of Chepstow town centre. The CCTV system is just in the high street and the majority of the problems are in the car park and in this alley.

"If they are going to go to the extent of having CCTV, they should have it in all the town, not just in one area."

Police say they are aware of the incident in Rifleman's Way and their inquiries are ongoing.