Owners of takeaway left devastated after shop is broken into and thieves steal £150

Nasir Zimmadar who owns the takeaway on Newbottle Street with his uncle, discovered the raid after a local resident messaged him to say his window had been smashed.

Mr Zimmadar said: “We are absolutely devastated, we don’t know why anyone would have done this to us.

"We only opened in July and the business had been doing well during this pandemic.

"The shop has cost so much money to get up and running and now the repairs and buying a new till has cost us more money.

"I had to get the shutter fixed and have bought a new till, we also had to clear out all the smashed glass from the window.

"We are still open and trading but it’s just frustrating that this has happened."

The shop was discovered around 9am on Tuesday.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 9.15am on Tuesday, September 21 we received a report of burglary at a premises on Newbottle Street, Houghton.

“It was reported that at some point overnight, unknown offenders have thrown a brick through one of the windows, gaining access before stealing the till and making off from the scene.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police via the website, using the Tell Us Something Page, quoting log 191 220920.”

Rivaaj - Tradition of Spices is still open under normal service hours.

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