Barbers offer £1,500 reward after burglars try to force their way in with crowbars

Two men tried to force their way in to Cut Barbershop on Thames Avenue shortly after 1.45am on Monday.

They were making such a noise that one neighbour living nearby quickly called the police.

Now Domenico, 21, and 18-year-old brother Gianouco are offering a reward of £1,500 for information that leads to the prosecution of the two would-be burglars.

The brothers have already given police CCTV footage of the events unfolding, which show two men wearing hats and scarves around their faces spending more than two minutes trying to break their way in with crowbars.

The barbers’ father, Biagio, said: “They were trying to get in for a good couple of minutes. Then the alarm went off and they ran away. It’s disappointing because someone has gone there trying to get in.

"You don’t know what they were trying to do, whether it was vandalise it or pinch some products.”

Luckily, a neighbour living nearby saw what they were trying to do and called the police, telling the officers that one of the men was wearing a burgundy coloured top.

"Even though they didn’t make it in, they left their mark on the business, which now faces a hefty bill to not only repair the damage, but also to up their security.

“You’re talking £400 just to get someone out to change the locks,” said Biagio, revealing that the entire metal strip inside the door had been warped by their efforts.

“We are going to have to put a new door on which will be at least £1,000. It’s all expense you don’t need.

"We are going to upgrade the cameras, and install an extra eight cameras as well as some metal shutters front and rear.”

The lads have only been in business since last summer, along with Jessica’s Hair and Beauty which has the other half of the unit.

Their mother, Tina, has praised the community spirit of neighbours who called the police.

Anyone with any information should contact Wiltshire Police on 101.