Thirty stolen bikes brought back to looted shop

Recovering: bikes have been returned to Mark Baker of Cycle King in Croydon
10 April 2012

A bike shop smashed up and looted in Croydon has recovered stolen stock thanks to Good Samaritans.

The owners of Cycle King, in Brighton Road, said today that about 30 machines had been wheeled back to their store, which had lost more than £120,000 of goods.

Cycle King director Mark Baker said: "Many bikes have been returned to us by people who have found them in their gardens.

"We also had at least half a dozen people who asked if we needed help cleaning up on the first day. But we can't reopen at the moment because our insurers won't let us until we beef up security.

"We were forced to take down our £25,000 security shutters because the council said they didn't fit in with the street scene. If we had the shutters it would have meant we wouldn't have these problems. So it could be months before we reopen."

About 600 bicycles were looted, including every adult bike and BMX, plus accessories. Electric scooters were dumped around the corner once looters realised there was no battery charge.

Meanwhile Mohamed Abdulla, 31, who runs W£5tern Hairdressers in London Road, opened this morning for his first haircut since the riots - but with no front windows, after they were smashed, costing £1,000 to repair. New clippers and hairdriers were stolen, along with a computer. Mr Abdulla said: "What these rioters did was terrible but we can't let them win.

"Today I'm starting afresh, people have to believe that they can rebuild Croydon and move on to better things."

Jeya Kumar was back in business less than 48 hours after seeing his Londis shop destroyed by fire and his Best Foods convenience store suffer £30,000 of damage. Mr Kumar, 50, said: "Twelve staff worked all through Tuesday to repair the damage."

He said he had been overwhelmed by support from local people, and met David Cameron during the Prime Minister's visit to Croydon. "London Road still has closures. Police say it should be opened by the end of the week. It's very quiet," he added.

"We're waiting for the insurance of our stock and in the meantime I've had to pay for everything myself, meaning we only have half the products we would normally sell."

Mr Kumar said he had not laid off any staff despite the big hit to his business but he has had to reduce their hours.

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