The value of hardware stolen this time was in the hundreds of pounds. The store owners also rued the damage to the 1920’s original mahogany door
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A shop owner has shared his disbelief after his store was hit by burglars for the second time in a week. The Cambridge hardware store on East Road, Mackays, was broken into on January 25 and was burgled again this week (January 31).
Someone broke into the shop in the early hours of Tuesday morning, doing "considerably" more damage to the shop than last time and stealing hundreds of pounds worth of knives. Neil Mackay, said: “I mean what is the mentality of this person? They’re expending a huge amount of effort smashing through a nice door in order to steal knives.
"There are all sorts of other weapons in the stores. We sell all sorts of weird and wonderful things.
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"Why are they targeting the expensive swiss army knives and doing so much damage? I can’t fathom why they're doing it, they've done a vast amount of damage. I'm in disbelief."
He estimates the value of hardware stolen this time round to be in the hundreds of pounds. Neil also rued the damage to the 1920's original mahogany door, as did his brother, who on social media said: "Our front door has been there since 1928 and this is the first time the door has been shattered.
"I hope we can put it back together again. It's made of lovely mahogany.
"With all those knives and with such violence it's a good job we didn't confront him. But it can't keep happening".
Neil said his experience with police was much the same as last time, taking to Facebook the morning after the burglary to say how they felt they struggled to contact police. He posted: "They say that knife crime is a top priority. But the innocent retailer having his premises ransacked is left unprotected.
"I think the priorities of not only the police, but society in general need addressing. I have written to the Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner, the Chief Constable, the Commissioner police, and the press".
Neil said he would get the mannequin dressed up as a policeman to deter potential thieves if a similar break-in were to occur in future. Cambridgeshire Constabulary Detective Inspector Fergus Cowley said: “We were contacted yesterday (January 31) about a burglary at Mackay’s of Cambridge in East Road.
“At 2.20am thieves broke into the premises, stealing tools and knives from a display case. Officers have attended the scene to speak to the victim about the burglary and a similar incident on Thursday (January 26).
“We recognise the significant impact and distress these burglaries have caused and we are doing all we can to identify those responsible. A thorough investigation is ongoing, including exploring CCTV and forensic opportunities".
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