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Rochester High Street vandal attacks lead to barber offering free haircuts for information

A barber's has offered a free haircut to anyone who can help track down yobs who targeted stores in a wrecking spree.

Windows were smashed and a door kicked in at an estate agents and a hairdressing salon in Rochester High Street within 10 days.

Cuneyt Kaya outside Kaya Barbers in Rochester
Cuneyt Kaya outside Kaya Barbers in Rochester

The first attack was on Kaya Barbers. CCTV captured a trio walking past with one of them punching a pane of glass.

Then on Monday night, one of a group of young men kicked in the door of Reddoor Homes.

Cuneyt Kaya, who also runs two businesses in Gillingham, said: "After being shut for so long this is very frustrating when we are trying to pick up business.

"It's weird they didn't try to take anything. It is pure vandalism."

Mr Kaya has offered a free haircut to anyone who can help track down the culprits, but so far nobody has come forward.

The boarded-up door at the estate agents
The boarded-up door at the estate agents

The attack on his firm happened on the night of Friday, September 18.

Caroline Meek, business manager of Reddoor Homes, believes lockdown boredom, as well as alcohol, played a part in the incidents.

Both premises are listed and therefore not allowed to instal security shutters.

But Miss Meek said: "That's the last thing we would want to do. We are here in the High Street to show a presence. Otherwise we might as well be on an industrial estate."

The estate agents moved to Rochester six years ago, having previously had a branch in Chatham.

The barber's was also attacked
The barber's was also attacked

Miss Meek said:"We believe in investing in the town. We buy our coffees here and use the dry cleaner to boost the local economy which, in the end, impacts on the housing market."

Staff at both businesses have handed over CCTV to the police and have urged other traders to do likewise.

Police spokesman James Walker said: "Officers have arrested a 25-year-old man from Rochester on suspicion of criminal damage and he has been released, pending further inquiries."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01634 792209 quoting 46/173949/20.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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