Help catch the vandals (From Penarth Times)

Help catch the vandals

A PENARTH businessman is offering a £1,000 reward after vandals smashed up his showroom.

Robert Smith, 45, who is appalled at the catalogue of attacks at his Windsor Road business, is putting up the cash in an attempt to stop the incidents.

He told the Times: "I am absolutely fed up with this. I have even had six out of seven of my plate glass windows smashed.

"I am so so incensed by the crime that I am willing to pay for information that leads to a prosecution of those mindless individuals involved."

Mr Smith, who bought the premises off his father four years ago, continued: "Over the last two years, I have spent a lot of money making substantial improvements to it. But it seems as though there are people out there who are jealous of my success and I want to know who they are."

The latest attack happened at approximately 12.45 am on April 29, when on-duty officers in Penarth's police station heard a loud smashing noise.

They looked out of the window in time to see three disguised people hurling bricks through windows before running away.

Robert added: "It's more than just the damage they've caused, although that's bad enough. I am insured, but the cost to replace the windows, plus the repairs needed to the cars where the bricks landed, means I'm looking at a bill of between £10,000 and £12,000."

Robert is a familiar face in Penarth, and the family business is long standing. He said: "I'm totally convinced that we are not looking for a customer or ex-employee of mine.

"I just think it's too much of a coincidence that no other property in Penarth was caught up in this incident. Someone knows who is responsible for this, and I want them to be held responsible.

"You see it all the time on Crimestoppers. People are more inclined to give information if they think they will be rewarded for it. I feel so strongly about this that I am willing to pay £1,000 for any information that leads to a prosecution."

Roger Davies of Penarth police said: "There is no building work going on in the area at the moment, and it looks as though these individuals came prepared. It appears as though they were wearing balaclavas or some sort of disguise over their faces."

Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Penarth police on 029 2022 2111