Anger as burglars raid eight Carlisle businesses in one night

By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter

Last updated at 12:49, Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Police are investigating after eight businesses were targeted by crooks in Carlisle on the same night.

Dan Russell, owner of Atlas Works, with Alison McKerlie, right, of Dancerz

Officers said there were break-ins at five commercial units at the Atlas Works complex in Denton Holme as well as at a number of other firms at Stanwix.

Thieves mainly got away with small amounts of cash, although other property was stolen in some of the raids.

Officers are investigating if there are any links between the Atlas Works burglaries and the Stanwix raids, all of which happened overnight on Sunday.

They have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Dan Russell, owner at the Atlas Works, said a number of dance studios had been targeted as well as The Source venue.

“They caused a terrible mess, they went in with crowbars,” he told the News & Star.

“At one of the dance schools they took the Help for Heroes charity box and emptied it. When I heard about it I was very angry. These people work so hard to give a good thing to Carlisle and then these thieves just come along.

“They caused a lot of damage and upset.”

Denise Gosney, owner of Razzamataz Theatre Schools at the Atlas Works, said: “They caused a fair bit of damage.

“They destroyed one of our doors, they stole cash, cameras and CD players.

“It’s never a nice thing when it happens and it’s unnerving for your staff as well.”

Headways Hair Studio on Scotland Road was one of the Stanwix businesses hit.

Its manager, Mary Barnes, said: “They just broke in by the door. They used a crowbar. But they didn’t get anything.

“I think it’s a disgrace. All that mess for nothing.

“What did they expect to find in a little shop like this?”

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen two suspects, both male, on foot in these parts of the city at the time of the raids.

Call officers with information on 101.

First published at 12:37, Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk