A barber has said he is “disappointed” and “afraid” after £100 was stolen in a burglary by a man he says the shop knew.
Aeoub Simo, owner of Simo’s Barber, says he offers free haircuts to the homeless community, but that one of them was recorded on CCTV burgling his shop.
Around 1.45am on November 9, a man broke into the Regent Street shop with two others and took the cash register with around £100.
Aeoub, 31, said: “I was disappointed and scared because you don’t know what’s going to happen the next day to your shop.
“I don’t want him to go to prison, because I do not know his situation - maybe he needs the money - but it's not the way to get it.”
Damage was also done to the shop door and Aeoub is worried about what may come next.
“It affects you, you don’t feel safe”, he said.
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A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of burglary and then released on bail pending further enquiries.
Having watched the shop's CCTV Aeoub suspects it was a member of the homeless community, who he did not know personally but was known to his staff.
He said: “We always try to support them and most of the time we give them free haircuts so I don't get it, why do they want to come to our shop and break in?”
The police report that a man first tried to enter the premises at around 1.30am on Saturday, November 9.
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Around 15 minutes later he is alleged to have returned with two other men and the trio reportedly broke into the property
Police have since launched an investigation and officers have been carrying out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries in the area - leading to the arrest.
Police have urged any witnesses, or anyone who may have further information, to contact them.
A spokesperson for the force said: “If you saw anything that could help with our enquiries please contact us on 101 quoting reference number 54240132602.
“You can also report to us through our website.
“Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Aeoub Simo is also the owner of Freshcut Barber on Bridge Street.
Wiltshire Police was asked for an update but did not respond at the time of writing.
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