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Robbery at Cathy Stephens Jewellery
Groby in the December snow
THE CATHY STEPHENS Jewellery store and workshop was the victim of another robbery on the evening of Tuesday 19 December. Police were called to the shop in Ratby Road just before 5.30pm after four men entered the premises wearing balaclavas. They were armed, carrying an axe and a crowbar. The axe was recovered from the scene. Pippa Stephens, who helps run the business started by her mum Cathy and dad Michael, told the Leicester Mercury that she was helping to close up for the day when the robbers arrived. “It was five or ten minutes before we were due to close and these guys came running in with their balaclavas and their axes. There were five of them in total - one in the car outside, one who stood in the door and three who just started smashing the cabinets. This is not the first time we have been robbed. It is unfortunately just a part of being in the jewellery business but we have security systems. We activated the panic buttons and the room filled up with smoke and the shutters came down. The system is set up to get them out and it worked. They were only in for 30 seconds - 30 mad seconds - and they left.” The thieves broke three cabinets and took some engagement rings as well as some of Cathy’s distinctive hand-made jewellery. They won’t be able to sell it on, they’ll have to break it up.” The suspects left the store in a red Ford Focus, which was recovered from Foxglove Drive, Groby, later the same evening. A crowbar was recovered from the car. Staff were inside the store at the time of the incident, but were not injured. However, they are understandably shaken. DS Jason Fell, who’s leading the enquiries, said: “We are currently in the process of carrying house to house enquiries and trawling through CCTV from the local area. From enquiries we’ve conducted so far it’s believed there may have been pedestrians and motorists in Foxglove Drive at the time the getaway car was left there. If you witnessed that or saw any suspicious activity in the area please get in touch. We also know there were a number of vehicles and people in the area at the time the men entered, and left, the store. If you were in Ratby Road around 5.30pm please come forward. Having as much information as we can at this vital stage of the investigation is very important.” Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101, quoting quoting incident number 454 of 19 December.
Norman Griffiths
Local photographer Mike Pratt was up early on the snowy Sunday in December and managed to capture some excellent shots of the village. We’ve included more of Mike’s work inside this issue.
Have a Go workshops with a difference at Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation REGISTERED CHARITY Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, who provide support, care and friendship wellbeing services will be launching new activity sessions in 2018. The new monthly have a go workshops will provide the opportunity for attendees to learn a new skill, try something different and make friends in a supportive and inclusive setting. Helen Baxter, Activities coordinator at the Foundation said, ‘We are delighted to have been granted funding from Charnwood Borough Council to provide our taster workshops. ‘The sessions will be FREE of charge and will take place on the third Monday of the month throughout 2018 from 10.00am – 12.00noon. Each activity will provide a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and enjoy trying out something with a difference! We would love to welcome you so why not come along, have a go….! ‘The sessions are suitable for all ages and abilities, try out belly dancing, glass fusing, Nordic walking, calligraphy, pilates and more!’ Details of the sessions will be available to view at www.shuttlewood-clarke.org in the New Year. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis – For more information please call Helen Baxter on 01530 244914 or email helen@shuttlewood-clarke.org
NEXT ISSUE OUT ON 17TH FEBRUARY 2018 - ARTICLES & ADVERT DEADLINE: 3RD FEBRUARY 2018