“TERRIFIED” staff said they are being menaced by brazen thieves who continue to steal items from their phone shops in Worcester.
It is after Phone Revive, Phone Plus and Fone Emporium on The Shambles were targeted by brazen thieves yesterday afternoon (Monday).
Four burglars attempted to break the glass cabinets and steal mobile phones in both Phone Revive and Phone Plus before successfully taking £2,000 worth of electronics from Fone Emporium at 3pm.
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Earlier this month, Phone Plus also had over £7,000 worth of electronics and savings stolen by thieves who also walked away with the store’s CCTV cameras.
“We are left quivering because we feel like anyone can attack us,” said a spokesperson for Phone Plus.
“We are only small businesses and something like this can affect us massively.
“We are competing to keep prices down and those costs are on our shoulders but when a gang starts attacking us – shops in broad daylight – it is horrible.
GONE: Phone Plus also had over £7,000 worth of electronics stolen and its safe emptied. (Image: Phone Plus)
“Our staff are terrified. We should be working in a safe environment.”
Phone Plus added that many of the mobile phone businesses have discussed the issue at some length and believe these types of Worcester stores are being terrorised.
Owner of Fone Emporium, Aman Singh, opened his Worcester business in 2019 and revealed he has been shocked by what has happened.
He relies on his store’s income to provide for his family.
“It is very sad to see small businesses being targeted as phone businesses do not have a lot of profit as it is,” said Mr Singh.
SHOCKING: The burglary at Fone Emporium in The Shambles happened on Monday at 3pm (Image: Fone Emporium)
“A few months ago, we were showing a customer a phone on the counter and then he ran away with it.
“We never expected this to happen again.”
West Mercia Police said it is aware of two reports of businesses being broken into on The Shambles and enquiries into these burglaries are ongoing.
In both incidents, it confirmed items of technology, including mobile phones, were reported stolen.
“At this time, we have not received any further reports of similar incidents in the area,” a West Mercia Police spokesperson said.
“The local Safer Neighbourhood Team is aware and will continue to monitor the situation closely and will continue to work with local businesses to provide crime prevention advice and reassurance.”
