Local business owner feels “violated” after his family-run shop is broken into

Police are investigating after an independent, family-run shop was broken into in the early hours of this morning (8th February 2022).

Officers were called to Regent Tailoring on New Street in Salisbury city centre this morning after the shop was broken into and a number of items were stolen.

The door had been broken and some distinctive belts, as well as around eight bottles of Truefitt and Hill aftershave, had been stolen.

Speaking about the incident, the owner of Regent Tailoring, Jason Regent said, “You feel a bit violated is the best way to describe it. From the CCTV you can see the thief brutally kicking down the door and it just makes you feel like it is in your home.

“This shop feels like an extension of my house. I have been in this building for 14 years, so we just feel like it is a really big part of our family. As my daughter said, she grew up here – I remember her crawling on the floor and so it’s incredibly emotional when something like this happens.

“I think everyone in my family has been affected by it – it feels like your home and that’s hard. We also have got two people off sick with COVID so it just feels like a very hard time.”

Despite the distress the break-in has caused, Jason says that the local Salisbury community has been overwhelmingly supportive.

“I have got too many cakes to eat, and too many coffees to drink because people keep bringing me treats. There has been a really nice response on social media as well – there are over 100 comments on our post – and it means that people do like us and it makes you feel very warm that you are not on your own.”

Having viewed the CCTV, Wiltshire Police believe the offence occurred at around 2.30am this morning (8th February 2022), and the suspect is described as a white man, wearing an olive green baseball cap, a black face mask and dark clothing.

The police have released a photograph of a man they would like to identify which can be seen below.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police added, “We appreciate it doesn’t show a clear picture, but we hope someone may recognise his clothing.

“We have also released pictures of some of the stolen items and would like to hear from anyone who is aware of them being offered for sale.“

Jason added, “When I arrived at the shop I thought they had nicked everything, luckily it looks like they were just searching for cash. They did steal 15 or 16 colones which are around £100 each, and they took a load of belts and a bottle of whiskey.

“They knocked down our mannequin, our door was off the hinge and we could only open up for the last two hours of today so it takes a real toll on you.“

Anyone with information, including anyone who was in the area and witnessed anything suspicious, is asked to call Salisbury Community Policing Team on 101, quoting crime reference 54220013610. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.