Call for CCTV after 'horrendous' week at Costa cafes (From Bucks Free Press)

Call for CCTV after 'horrendous' week at Costa cafes

3:53pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

Daga, the manager at Costa in Bourne End

A CAFE in Bourne End has called for CCTV cameras to be installed in the village after being hit by five break-ins in the last three years.

As reported last week, raiders used a sledgehammer to smash into Costa Coffee on January 7, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

And a "horrendous week" for the franchise owners was rounded off when their Flackwell Heath cafe was broken into three days later.

Emma Wharfe, business development manager for the franchise, said: "We want to let the community know we’re not going to stand for it.

"We are going to work with the Neighbourhood Watch to try and get some CCTV into the village. It’s something that could benefit the whole community and neighbourhood.

"The only cameras we’ve got are inside the store so there’s nothing which could show the vehicle they are using.

"It was a horrendous week and the damage caused was immense. It seems strange that they hit both of these little cafes in the same week."

Though some cash was taken from a safe at the Bourne End cafe, Emma said cash is not normally kept in their outlets overnight. She also believes Flackwell Heath would benefit from CCTV along Straight Bit.

The manager of the Bourne End Costa, called Daga, said: "It’s a really nasty thing to happen and something you don’t expect in our community. It’s a nice area but this makes you worry about security."

"Our customers have been so great about it and we’d like to thank everybody in Bourne End and Flackwell Heath for their support over the last week."