Hampshire restaurateur offers £500 reward after vandals smash window and steal bottles of spirits

A RESTAURATEUR is offering a £500 reward for information which leads to the arrest of vandals who smashed the window of his Fareham restaurant.
By Neil Fatkin
Published 21st Apr 2021, 07:00 GMT
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The vandals are also believed to have stolen ‘around £700 of spirits’ from The Wicks Bar & Grill following the incident in Knowle Village on Friday, April 16.

Restaurant owner George Madgwick first became aware of the damage after being called by a nearby resident.

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He said: ‘I’m really disappointed with what has happened. I can’t believe someone thinks it’s acceptable to smash the window and steal from us.

Restaurant owner George Madgwick, 31, has offered a £500 reward for information which leads to the arrest of the vandals who damaged his business.Restaurant owner George Madgwick, 31, has offered a £500 reward for information which leads to the arrest of the vandals who damaged his business.
Restaurant owner George Madgwick, 31, has offered a £500 reward for information which leads to the arrest of the vandals who damaged his business.

‘This is the only real social hub in the village and it’s really disappointing that someone would do this.’

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Having only bought the business in October and having been shut, George feels particularly aggrieved that someone would do such a thing in the midst of the pandemic.

He added: ‘I have only been able to open for about 30 days since I bought the restaurant. It’s been an almost impossible situation with the lockdown and so for someone to do this is absolutely disgusting.’

The smashed front window of The Wicks Bar & Grill in Fareham.The smashed front window of The Wicks Bar & Grill in Fareham.
The smashed front window of The Wicks Bar & Grill in Fareham.
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It’s a sentiment shared by leader of Fareham Borough Council, Sean Woodward, who said: ‘This is appalling behaviour, particularly at this difficult time. Times are hard enough and it’s disgraceful that criminals would do this sort of thing.’

George posted a video on his Facebook page offering a £500 reward for anyone who can provide information which leads to the arrest of the vandals.

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He said: ‘If anyone has any information about who has done this then if you can message me on Facebook with evidence to pass on to the police then there will be a £500 reward available.

Smashed glass across a table inside The Wicks Bar and Grill in Fareham.Smashed glass across a table inside The Wicks Bar and Grill in Fareham.
Smashed glass across a table inside The Wicks Bar and Grill in Fareham.

‘I want to know who thinks smashing into someone’s business during a pandemic is an acceptable thing to do.’

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Confirming the incident a statement from Hampshire Police said: ‘We were called at 8.20am on April 16 to reports of a criminal damage at The Wicks Bar & Grill on South Square, Knowle.

‘It was reported that a window was smashed, with glass on the ground outside. Anyone with information can phone 101 and quote reference 44210143245.’

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