Nottingham: ‘We don’t feel safe running shops in the city’

Nichola Thompson owns Table 47, one of the newest units on the street which was burgled just six weeks after it opened six months ago.

She said she had not felt the same since.

“I walk into work hoping that my windows haven’t been smashed,” she said.

“I have 18-year-old staff that don’t want to open the cafe in the morning because they are scared about what they’ll find.

“I am shocked at how bad it is. I honestly wish I had looked into the area more before moving here.”

Insp Paul Gummer, from Nottinghamshire Police’s neighbourhood policing team for the city centre, said there had been reports of three burglaries at businesses in Bridlesmith Gate over the past six months.

A suspect has been identified over the break-ins at Garms, he said, adding efforts to track down the suspect “are ongoing”.

“As a force we take all reports of retail crime extremely seriously,” he said.

“We understand the implications these types of offences have on our local businesses and that is why we pursue all lines of inquiry to bring offenders to justice and protect our business community.”