Spate of raids on hair salons are linked by crime officers
A string of break-ins at hairdressing salons are being linked by police.
Three hairdressers have been burgled and hair and beauty products worth hundreds of pounds have been stolen from shops in Havant, Waterlooville and Warsash in the past week.
Expensive hair straighteners, hair dryers, hair clippers and products have been taken from The Vestry, in West Street, Havant, a private salon in a house in Gladys Avenue, Waterlooville and the Panache Hair and Beauty Salon in Brook Lane, Warsash.
The first break in happened at The Vestry, between 4pm on October 19 and 8.50am on October 20.
The crooks took a Cinderella hair extension bag, four pairs of GHD straighteners worth more than 100 each, hair colouring products, and a safe of money containing 40.
They also took spoons and tried to use a fork to take sun lotions out of machines in the tanning salon.
They ransacked the manager's office in the search for cash and took money from a charity box that was to raise money to help breast cancer sufferers.
Receptionist Hayley Essex, 20, said: 'They got in through the back window.
'They took all the plastic out and then removed the window. They were quite clever.
'They took spoons, which was a bit strange, and we wondered whether drugs was involved.'
The raid on the salon in Waterlooville happened between 7pm on October 20 and 9am the following day.
The third incident, in Warsash, happened between 6pm on October 21 and 9am on October 22. The thieves got in by smashing a window at the back of the property.
Crime Prevention Officer Tony Walters said: 'Due to the similarity of these incidents and the close time period in which they took place, we believe they are connected.
'In each incident the burglars have targeted high quality hair and beauty products, causing damage and distress to the owners in the process.
'We are very keen to hear from anyone who has any information about those responsible for these burglaries.'
Anyone with information should contact their nearest police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
People from outside Hampshire should contact 0845 045 45 45.
CRIMEWAVE
Burglars are targeting businesses in Havant in a crime spree.
As reported in The News last week, at least 19 businesses in the town centre have been hit in the past three months - a statistic that police say is unprecedented.
It has cost thousands of pounds and stores targeted included mobile phone shops, opticians, hairdressers, warehouses and social clubs.
Each time burglars have broke in via the back of the premises or through the roof.
Crooks have struck under the cover of darkness and police believe a gang may be carrying out the break-ins, although there is not enough forensic evidence to definitely link the crimes.
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