The owner of a newsagents in Hampshire has been left contemplating a newsagent’s business insurance claim following a night-time raid on their premises which resulted in physical damage as well as the theft of several items.
The press report that three men broke into the newsagents, causing several hundred pounds of damage to the front door. Most shamefully, they also stole three charity donation boxes – one for a cancer centre, one for a children’s charity and one for the Isle of Wight Air ambulance. The theft follows another smash-and-grab that was made on the shop during the summer in which thieves also caused damage to the door when they broke in and stole cigarettes.
It is not known whether the shop’s owner made a newsagents business insurance claim for the previous theft; however, she has said that she is unsure whether she will claim on her newsagents’ business insurance policy for the latest incident.
“There are certain lines you don’t cross and stealing from charity is one of those,” said the shop’s owner.
“I feel it’s not my money that’s been taken, but my customers’ money. I’ve been broken into before but this one today has left me in bits. They are complete and utter lowlifes.”
The owner’s plight has been sympathetically received by her community, with regular customers offering money to replace the charity cash lost in the raid. So far £40 has raised. “It is bringing people together but it’s not nice,” said the owner.
Police report that the thieves made their escape on bikes. It has also been reported that they were wearing beanies or balaclavas in order to conceal their identities.
Anybody with information that may be relevant to the investigation of the crime has been urged to call 101 and to quote crime reference number 44180385335.
If you operate a newsagent, it’s a good idea to purchase stock insurance, which will offer you financial protection in the event of your stock being stolen, damaged, or lost. We can help you find a quote for stock insurance as well as many other essential insurance policies for newsagents.