Burglars rampage through Hungerford town centre again amid rising crime fears

Theft, damage and general mayhem...burglars have targeted town centre premises for the second time in weeks.

The latest incidents to plague Hungerford happened following the annual Hocktide celebrations.

Town mayor Helen Simpson has called for a crisis meeting with police and with the Thames Valley police and crime commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber.

As well as breaking into the Town Hall and causing damage to The Plume pub and Hungerford Fish & Chips, raiders have struck – again – at Eliane's café restaurant in The Courtyard, off the High Street, between 5pm on Tuesday, April 18, and 8am this morning (Wednesday).

Following another, messy search of Eliane's, the offenders stole a safe which contained an unknown quantity of cash.

The previous burglary happened between 5pm on Sunday, April 2, and 8am on Monday, April 3.

Mrs Simpson said, following the latest break-ins: "I'm really concerned.

"Hungerford is celebrated for its small, independent businesses, which can ill-afford repeated break-ins and thefts.

"I've asked for a meeting with the PCC and with the neighbourhood police team.

"The team is fantastic but I believe they don't have the resources and are just too thin on the ground."

At the time of the first break-in at Eliane's, restaurateur Rafia Willmott said the heartbreaking incident was just the latest in a series and added: "We've had continuous problems over the past few months in the courtyard with drugs, hooliganism and vandalism.

"We have had our plants ripped up and broken, outdoor furniture damaged and drug paraphernalia, food and alcohol litter left multiple times a week.

"The streets should be safe and Hungerford is becoming a hotbed for crime."

She added: "The safe was broken into and cash and valuables were stolen.

"There was also mindless damage, with doors, glass windows and cake domes smashed.

"Our banquette seating was slashed; cakes were eaten and Champagne and wine stolen."

Mrs Willmott went on: "I reported it to the police who sent out two very junior officers who didn’t even give me a crime reference number.

"I had to chase this with the police.

"There has been no follow up other than taking a statement... my staff are understandably traumatised.

Following that initial break-in, Thames Valley Police said they had stepped up patrols in the town centre following an increase in reports of drug dealing.

The local neighbourhood police team posted a photo of a uniformed officer in the High Street on Monday, April 3.

The caption stated: "The team have been patrolling the High Street in Hungerford today due to concerns around drug dealing.

However Mrs Willmott said: "The police have apparently increased their presence – but obviously not enough."

Following the latest incident, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "Offenders have broken into the premises and conducted a messy search.

"The safe was stolen, which contained an unknown quantity of cash.

"Anybody who has any information about this incident, or who may have dash-cam or CCTV footage that captures the incident is urged to contact Thames Valley Police, either via the website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43230169356."

Alternatively the independent Crimestoppers charity can be contacted anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.