Traders concern at crime wave

Traders concern at crime wave

The ram-raiders targeted the Karen Millen city centre outlet

Belfast's shopkeepers have called on the police to do more to tackle a crime wave in the city centre.

A number of shops have been targeted over last weekend and the spree has run on into the week.

Repairs were carried out at the Karen Millen women's boutique in Donegall Place on Tuesday after an overnight ram-raid.

The thieves crashed a car through the shop's front doors and stole thousands of pounds worth of clothes.

The police have said they are doing all they can with limited resources and stressed that the situation was not as bad as it looked.

All those shops are within 250yds of each other. Where is this going to end?

Harry Toan
DUP councillor

Inspector Ian Blaney said: "I must say that it is quite peculiar to this weekend because over the last three months we've checked figures against last year's figures and crime in Belfast city centre has fallen by 63%.

"I know that is of little comfort to the traders that are affected by the crime but we are doing our best to make persons amenable."

But Belfast DUP councillor Harry Toan said traders were at their wits end.

"All those shops are within 250yds of each other. Where is this going to end? Are you going to be interviewing me in a fortnight and it's 14 nights in a row?" said Mr Toan.

"There's more concern about looting in Baghdad when you can loot at will in Belfast city centre."

A delegation of traders is planning to meet police commanders to demand an extension of CCTV coverage and more officers on the ground.

"Any sector commander would say he could make good use of extra resources and I'm no different from anyone else," said Inspector Blaney.

"If I'm given extra resources I can assure you I will put them to good use in Belfast city centre."

Traders have acknowledge that the police cannot be everywhere at once but they want a much more visible police presence on the streets to fight crime.