New town centre business targeted by burglars

Nigel Coles at his premises on Drake Street - burglars smashed his window and made off with £3,000 worth of power tools

A business owner in the process of building a new company has spoken of his disgust after burglars smashed his window and made off with £3,000 worth of power tools.

Nigel Coles has been putting heart and soul into his new Drake Street business venture, which will be a coffee house and pawn brokers, and says that the burglary has really set him back financially.

Mr Coles has come forward to Rochdale Online to offer a £200 reward to anyone who can help him find his tools, so he can continue working on his new venture.

He said: “I didn’t even get chance to open up my business and already I’ve been targeted. This is not the first time it has happened to me, power tools are a big attraction to people like this.

“It’s worrying that these people are around and that everyone has to be so careful. £3,000 is by no means a small amount of money, especially when you are in the process of setting up a business. I really need my tools back and I’m willing to offer a reward to anyone who can help me.

“I’ve put thousands into this to make it happen and I don’t deserve this.”

The Greater Manchester Police CSI team (Crime Scene Investigation) arrived at the shop at 14:00 and have been taking samples from the door.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers were called to the premises at 9.30am this morning. We believe that the break in happened between 11pm last night and 9am this morning and we are appealing for any witnesses who can come forward with information.

“Power tools were stolen from the premises and a window was broken on entry.”

Among the stolen equipment was a power drill, three drills, two jigsaws, a hammer drill and boxes of equipment including new taps.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.