A RESTAURANT owner has been left devastated by an overnight raid and is now struggling to pay running costs.

The Cinnamon Lounge in High Street, Westbury, was targeted overnight on Saturday when raiders broke in and stole £4,500 from the safe as well as £200 from the till, damaging the front door in the process.

Manager of seven years, Mohammed Sufian, 27, has shared his heartbreak after the burglary, which has had a severe impact on his business.

He said: “They stole all of the money from the till as well as all of the week’s takings which we put in the safe before planning to take to the bank.

“This has never happened to us before and we’re all really shocked. I’ve been really stressed for the past few days because I now have lots of debts to pay off.

“I haven’t been able to order in food from the wholesaler and couldn't even buy oil.

“We’re only a small business and they have taken everything. I haven't been able to pay staff either.

“I really hope the police can do something and that this doesn’t happen to other businesses in the town as it really is devastating.

“The insurance company said they can cover the damage caused to the door but they can’t do anything about the cash which was stolen.”

The break-in follows a spate of burglaries at businesses in Melksham last week including one at the Casa restaurant, which left the owner around £3,500 in debt.

Mr Sufian, who also owns the Cinnamon Lounge in Trowbridge, added that he has noticed an increase in crime in Westbury in recent weeks and said he has stepped up security measures at his restaurants following the incident.

He said: “There is a car park behind where I live in High street where there are always people causing mischief.

“The police come when we call but then the trouble starts again a few days later. I think we need more CCTV or a greater police presence.”