East Lancs takeaway bosses robbed of nights takings (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancs takeaway bosses robbed of nights takings

1:25pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

FOUR takeaway shop owners have had £20,000 of cash and valuables stolen in a series of violent raids on their own homes.

Thieves have specifically targeted proprietors after they empty their tills and take cash home after closing for the night.

All of the raids happened at the retailers’ homes in Haslingden but their takeaway business are from different areas of East Lancashire.

The four members of Haslingden’s Bangladeshi community were hit in the last month.

On three occasions takeaway owners were confronted on their doorsteps and assaulted before being bundled into their homes and robbed.

Yesterday five men were being questioned over the attacks, and police urged takeaway owners throughout East Lancashire to be vigilant.

Detective Sergeant Nick Hodgeson, from Burnley CID, said: “What we are finding is that these business owners have been finishing work and taking the earnings from the day home with them.

“They are either being followed home from work or specifically targeted and are being robbed in their homes of the takings and sometimes jewellery.

“There are similarities between all the incidents which makes us think they are linked.

“There have been three robberies and one burglary. In each of the three robberies somebody has been assaulted outside their front door and bundled into their property.”

DS Hodgeson said the victims all owned takeaways “across East Lancashire”, but would not reveal their locations.

The Haslingden incidents happened in Piccadilly Street between 4pm on December 30 and 2.50am on December 31; in Jubilee Close at 12pm on December 31; in Hargreaves Street at 8.50pm on January 11, and in Hillside Close sometime on January 22.

As well as cash the thieves also stole gold Asian jewellery, mobile phones and computer equipment.

“We have spoken to takeaway owners and put out community safety and crime prevention advice like not taking their takings home with them and being aware of any vehicles following them or if they are being approached near their homes.

“So far the incidents have been in Haslingden, but it doesn’t mean that they won’t happen anywhere else.”

Yesterday neighbours in Haslingden spoke of their shock at the incidents.

A resident of Piccadilly Street, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s shocking this kind of things is happening in this area, especially on people’s doorsteps where they should feel safe.

“These days when it goes dark, I lock my door and don’t go out.”

A resident of Hargreaves Street said: “There does seem to have been an increased number of robberies around here and it is worrying, especially if someone is being specifically targeted.”

Police were yesterday questioning a 23-year-old man and two 29-year-old men, from Haslingden, a 25-year-old man from Accrington and a 30-year-old man of no fixed address.

Any suspicious activity should be reported to police by calling 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.