Hendon cafe owner left devastated after new business is broken into and charity box is taken

An ex veteran and owner of a new cafe in Hendon was left distraught after her business was broken into and a charity box, meat and cash were taken.
By Georgina Cutler
Published 7th Apr 2021, 16:26 BST
The Wooden Galley cafe on Villette Road, Hendon. Owner Danielle Hanson.The Wooden Galley cafe on Villette Road, Hendon. Owner Danielle Hanson.
The Wooden Galley cafe on Villette Road, Hendon. Owner Danielle Hanson.

The Wooden Galley on Villette Road was targeted at around 10.37pm on Monday, April 5 before an offender took cash from the till, meat from the fridge and the Veterans in Crisis charity box which contained around £200.

Danielle Hanson, who owns the cafe, opened her business just before Christmas and said she was devastated when she realised the premises had been broken into on Tuesday morning.

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The veteran said: “The most gutting part is that they took the charity box, there was around £200 in there and it’s such a shame being an ex veteran myself – it’s a huge kick in the teeth.

Cash, meat and a charity box were taken from The Wooden Galley in Hendon.Cash, meat and a charity box were taken from The Wooden Galley in Hendon.
Cash, meat and a charity box were taken from The Wooden Galley in Hendon.

"We closed for Easter and the last thing we expected to return to was this but everyone has been so supportive, our landlord has been fantastic and we’ve already received around £120 in donations – we really appreciate everyone’s help.”

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A local business has also said they will restock the fridge to replace the meat that was taken during the break in.

Danielle added: “I feel a bit demoralised because someone has been into my business and taken things that we’ve worked hard for – it makes me feel quite angry and upset.

The takeaway cafe on Villette Road was broken into on bank holiday Monday.The takeaway cafe on Villette Road was broken into on bank holiday Monday.
The takeaway cafe on Villette Road was broken into on bank holiday Monday.
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"We’ve been doing really well during lockdown and our customers are fantastic so we are pulling together to carrying on.”

The Wooden Galley, which is named in honour of Sunderland’s shipbuilding heritage, as well as Danielle’s former career as a communications technician in the Royal Navy, has since reopened today, Wednesday, April 7.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A Force spokesperson said: “At 8.15am on Tuesday we received a report a premises on Villette Road had been broken into.

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“It was reported an offender has gained entry overnight and stolen a quantity of meat and cash, before leaving the scene.

“Enquiries remain ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police using the Tell us Something page on our website, quoting log 118 06/04/21”

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