Colwyn Bay shop windows smashed on New Year's day

Jan 8 2009 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Sam Hughes of Reece James Hairdressers

SHOPKEEPERS in Colwyn Bay are furious after their windows were smashed by a vandal on New Year’s Day.

Several windows were smashed on Station Road, Seaview Road and Greenfield Road following the New Year’s Eve celebrations, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Traders found their windows smashed, stock damaged and shop fronts covered in blood, where it appeared somebody had battered glass with their bare hands.

Among those who experienced damage on Seaview Road alone were Reece James Hairdressers, the empty Wades clothes store, St Kentigern Hospice shop, the Dental Centre, Amplifon Hearing Specialists, GJ Framing and the Cym Deith Alzheimer’s shop.

Sam Hughes owns Reece James Hairdressers and was angry about the damage: “I was fuming, it’s not nice to find on New Year’s Day.

“The point is that we are earning a crust and people like that who might not have a job are trying to take it away from us. There was blood on the window and some damage to the leather chair and glass on the floor.

“We needed more police patrolling on New Year’s Eve. Why aren’t the CCTV cameras deterring criminals?”

Lei Menkelow is the manager of Coastal Ceramics on Greenfield Road and had four windows broken and £800 of damage.

“This sort of thing doesn’t make things easier. Whoever did it has had a really good go, he’s hit one window so hard the frame has come out. We’ve now employed security to keep checking things over.”

Another shopkeeper refused to be named for fear of repercussions, but had been terrified by the experience after having the windows of their home and business broken.

“We were watching TV on New Year’s Eve and suddenly it was like an explosion, it was very frightening.”

Town centre manager Ingrid Lewis pointed out that shops were already under pressure due to the financial climate without vandals adding to the problems.

“Replacement windows are hugely expensive and it is unfair to put added pressure on businesses. It is wrong and mindless,” she said.

Insp Essi Ahari of North Wales Police said a juvenile had been charged with offences in relation to the damage.

“The offender was apprehended and charged for various offences in relation to criminal damage after a police investigation,” he said. “The juvenile was arrested and charged accordingly and is in youth court in Llandudno on January 13.”