SHOPKEEPERS who have been the victims of a year-long crime spree have made an urgent plea for a CCTV camera.
Traders on the town’s historic Bank Street have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after a spate of break-ins, thefts and vandalism and they are calling on Wrexham Council and North Wales Police to install CCTV in a bid to deter yobs.
Paul Marubbi of Marubbi’s Café has paid out £1,000 in the last six months for various repairs.
He told the Leader: “For me it’s mainly damage to windows where they have tried to smash their way through.
“We are insured, but end up paying privately for repairs because it costs more to claim.
“We’re a target because we’re so quiet down here. They do what they want and then just run off into the night.”
Mathew Dymond, manager of Krazy Dymond Tattoo Studio, has had two break-ins in the last year.
Thieves broke the shop door off its hinges in order to steal a colour TV, a printer and £500 on the first occasion last April but escaped with just £10 in a second raid in August.
Mr Dymond said: “Once we found a handbag outside which had obviously been stolen. They could do with shutting the entrances off with a gate.
“Bank Street is basically a toilet – the amount of human waste we get outside the shop is unreal.”
Carl Shone, of shoe repair store Timpson found the sign above the shop door had been damaged on Tuesday.
He said: “I would support anything that protects the shop. There is nothing worse than opening in the morning to find something wrong.”
Rhiannon Murphy, senior stylist at Philippa’s Hair and Nail Studio, said that if CCTV had been in place they would have been able to identify those responsible for stealing a vacuum cleaner from the shop.
James Hobbley of Ark Pets Supplies said: “If we claim on our insurance for damage then the cost is going to go up and up, and times are hard.”
Spearheading the campaign is Jeremy Williams, of RS Williams and Son butchers, who is to write to the authorities.
He said: “Our rateable value is one of the highest in the town, but we’re probably one of the only streets in Wrexham not covered by CCTV.”
A spokesman for Wrexham Council said: “We will be more than happy to speak to traders regarding their concerns.”