Historic bookshop targeted by vandals for 15th time

The Fithteenth Century Bookshop in Keere Street is one of the most familiar shopfronts in the town and dates back to 1450.

But that did not stop vandals from smashing 12 of its windows on Saturday night.

Susan Mirabaud, 55, who is the co-owner and lives above the shop, told the Express: 'We are absolutely devastated.

'I came down to check on the shop at around midnight and the wind was howling through the shop.

'Both windows in the front door had been smashed as well as windows and if we hadn't lived on the premises and in the habit of checking the shop every night who knows what could have happened.

'This is the final straw in a long saga of petty vandalism.

'This is the 15th time this has happened.

'In one year we had our windows smashed five times and we are now seriously concerned about the security and long-term safety of this historic building.

'The insurance company only pays some of the costs, It's driving us out of business and really getting us down.'

Mrs Mirabaud has called for a CCTV camera to be put up in the area.

She said she was not critical of police but thought a camera would help them to do their job and protect the historic building.

Mrs Mirabaud called on MP Norman Baker to do something about the problem.

Mr Baker said: 'I'm concerned this has happened to Mrs Mirabaud and the business has been damaged in this way.

'The number of times they have been targeted seems to suggest it's a deliberate attack on them rather than mindless vandalism.

'With this in mind I will be contacting our local chief inspector Peter Laverick.'