POLICE in Okehampton are hoping to identify a suspect this week with regards to the smashed windows of takeaway premises in the town centre — an issue that has been ongoing for more than a year and which has left the town ‘looking like Beirut in the 1

980s’.

Several of the takeaway outlets in the main high street have had their shop front windows smashed numerous times over the past year. Following many of the acts of vandalism, the windows were replaced but now it seems that the retailers are no longer fixing the damage, leaving the smashed windows, which fellow business people in the town say makes Okehampton look like an ‘eyesore’.

At a meeting of the Okehampton Chamber of Trade last week, town mayor Jan Goffey said the damage was detrimental to the town, which was trying to promote itself as a tourist destination.

‘Both the town council and the chamber of trade are asking the police what they are doing to try and stop this problem,’ she said. ‘We have never had this sort of ridiculous behaviour in the town before. It looks an absolute eyesore.’

Other members said it was also surely a health and safety issue if the windows on the takeaway outlets were left smashed for long periods of time.

One trader said the town ‘looked like Beirut in the 1980s’.

In a letter sent to Okehampton Police, Jade Oliver, chair of Okehampton Chamber of Trade, said: ‘I am writing on behalf of my members who have raised concerns about the damage caused to all three fast food outlets in the town, specifically the shop frontage of each establishment.

‘Members are all commenting that the damage is giving a very poor impression of the town, the townspeople and the owners of the businesses.

‘This is obviously a false impression and needs to be addressed by the police.

‘I have had a number of customers in recently (particularly those visiting for the Ten Tors event) asking whether the town has a major crime problem.

‘This unfortunately, is the perception these establishments are giving of our town and it is not one that chamber members are happy about.’

One of the takeaway owners told the Times that their windows had been smashed more than eight times and it had cost them around £50,000 to repair in total as they used toughened glass.

They said it was affecting their business financially, scaring their children and families and customers had said they didn’t feel safe going in there.

It is understood that Okehampton Town Council is also writing a letter to the police concerning the damage.

West Devon sector inspector Mark Sloman told the Times on Monday: ‘We have some positive lines of enquiries.

‘Our enquiries are still ongoing and we will be speaking to a few people in the next few days but I am hopeful we will be able to identify a suspect in the next few days.’