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'Thieves threatened to burn down my shop'

BBC Olusegun Adedoyin standing in front of a rack of jars and packets in his store Olly Faith on Saint Luke's Terrace. He's wearing a hat and glasses and has on a black puffer coat over a dark blue fleece.BBC
Olly Adedoyin said more than £7,500 worth of stock had been stolen from his store

A shop owner repeatedly targeted by burglars and threatened with having his shop burned down has urged police to take "immediate action".

Olusegun Adedoyin, who owns an African food and convenience store on Saint Luke's Terrace in Pallion, Sunderland, said he had been burgled multiple times in the past few months.

Mr Adedoyin, known as Olly, said: "Two weeks ago they broke in and stole £7,500 worth of goods - my shelves are empty and the police have done nothing."

Northumbria Police said it was aware of a number of burglaries in the area and was investigating.

Mr Adedoyin, who opened his shop two years ago, said he faced regular verbal abuse and having his roller shutters violently shaken.

"I don't feel safe coming to my business," he said.

"They've burgled my shop, they threatened to burn down my shop, it's virtually empty now and all of this was reported to the police and nothing was done.

"I feel threatened every day."

Mr Adedoyin said he had installed CCTV after an earlier theft, but that was stolen in his most recent burglary.

The corner of a room with lots of wires in a bundle and hanging down from the ceiling, next to a small radiator, where CCTV had been installed but has since been stolen.
Olusegun Adedoyin installed CCTV - which was then stolen

Martin Haswell, who represents the Pallion ward on Sunderland City Council, has also called for greater police protection for small businesses, especially over the winter months.

"We're into the dark nights now and it's clear this has emboldened these criminals," he said.

"It's not just Olly - multiple stores across Pallion have been hit."

Northumbria Police said it was aware of "a number of recent burglary and attempted burglary reports" in the area.

"A number of inquiries are ongoing, and high-visibility patrols will be carried out in the affected areas in the lead up to Christmas," a spokesperson said.

Pallion ward councillor Martin Haswell standing on Saint Luke's Terrace in Pallion with street lights and shops in the background. He has a grey coat and a beard and moustache.
Pallion Ward Councillor Martin Haswell says shop owners are beginning to lose faith in police

Steve Hodgson, who owns MS Workwear on the same road, said "you never see officers walking in the street".

"Several businesses along here are being targeted and it's not on," he said.

Mr Adedoyin said, after the latest burglary, other African shop owners in Sunderland had told him criminals had been attempting to sell his stolen stock to them.

"I couldn't believe it," he said.

A display wall with not very many things set out on it after thieves stole much of the stock. There are empty hooks with just a few packets of hair extensions dotted around.
Shelves and displays have been left empty as stock is stolen

The force has urged shop owners to report crimes or pass on information "at the earliest opportunity".

It also urged them to take a "few simple steps" to help secure their properties.

"We often see opportunistic offenders go street-to-street hoping to come across an unlocked door or window," a spokesperson said.

"Please take an extra second to ensure your doors and windows are locked, and any valuables are kept out of sight."

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