Belfast Businesses Hit by String of Burglaries

Simply Fish & Chips, Samosa King, and Juko cafe in Belfast city centre have all been subjected to burglaries in the past week. The incidents have caused financial losses for the businesses, disrupted trade, and raised concerns among owners about a potential increase in criminal activity.

Recent Break-ins Cause Disruption

Gareth McKinstry, owner of Simply Fish & Chips, reported that his establishment was broken into around 02:00 BST on Saturday. The incident meant his business lost morning trade on Pride weekend, one of its busiest periods. He stated that repairs to the shop's window were necessary following the break-in. He also noted that such occurrences seem to be becoming more frequent.

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Overnight on Tuesday, Samosa King on King Street was targeted. A beer keg was used to smash the premises' window, and a sum of money was stolen. Police reported the incident at approximately 04:40 BST. Officers later recovered cash and arrested a 32-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman on suspicion of burglary with intent to steal. Rajiv Prasad, the owner, described the event as "very disturbing" and highlighted the existing challenges faced by the restaurant industry.

Juko cafe on Gloucester Street experienced a burglary at about 02:30 BST on Monday. CCTV footage captured the incident. Shane McGann, a director at Juko, indicated that the cafe's security measures are under review. He expressed a hope that such events would cease in Belfast, particularly with the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann music festival, which is expected to draw large crowds. McGann suggested that these burglaries do not present the city in a favourable light.

Police Response and Arrests

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In relation to the Juko cafe burglary, police arrested two men, aged 32 and 38. They have since been released on bail pending further inquiries. Regarding the Samosa King incident, a man and a woman were arrested and later released on bail. Superintendent Gavin Kirkpatrick of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stated that the crimes have a "detrimental impact" on the livelihoods of those affected. He added that police presence in the city has been increased, especially in anticipation of the Fleadh festival, to ensure public safety.

Crime Statistics

Despite the recent spate of break-ins, PSNI statistics for Belfast show a general downward trend in recorded burglaries at business and community premises in the 2024/25 financial year, with 320 incidents compared to 210 in the previous year. However, the number of reported robberies in the city saw an increase of 45% over the same period. Shoplifting incidents also rose by almost 7%.