Frustrated traders in Edinburgh have raised the alarm about a gang of feral thieves causing chaos for local businesses. The peaceful neighbourhood of Marchmont has recently fallen victim to these thieves, with a coffee shop on Argyll Place being one of their targets. The gang smashed the window of Detour Espresso by hurling a brick, resulting in significant damage to the family-owned business. Although they rummaged through the premises in search of cash, all they managed to steal was a bank business card, which they used to purchase burgers at McDonald’s.
The owner of the café, Matt Rees, narrated how he found out about the break-in through bank notifications on his phone after the incident. The break-in disrupted their business operations, causing them to lose valuable trading time on one of their busiest days. Rees highlighted the financial implications of the break-in, emphasizing that the cost of repairing the broken window outweighed the benefits of dealing with insurance due to excess and premiums. The thieves’ actions not only caused tangible damage but also left a dent in the café’s revenue.
Concerns have been raised about the audacity of these young thieves, who have targeted multiple businesses in broad daylight. Despite the police being aware of the culprits, traders are growing increasingly frustrated at the escalating situation. In response to these security threats, Detour has since bolstered its security measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras as a deterrent.
The café owner expressed his exasperation at the recurrent attacks, highlighting the impact on their livelihood and the senseless nature of the crimes. The community is hoping for a swift resolution to the issue, with Police Scotland being urged to take effective measures to address the growing problem of feral theft in the area. As local businesses strive to recover from the disruptions caused by these incidents, the unity and resilience of the community are being put to the test.