Moped raiders harass north London practices

A London optician was raided for the second time in 10 days last week, one of a number of break-ins targeted at shops and businesses selling high value items in north London.

Thieves forced the security shutter of Optique 20/20 from its housing before breaking through the glass door with a paving slab, according to the practice's owner Hitash Visavadia.

'We're a target because of the range of stock we keep here,' explained Visavadia. 'While no stock was taken due to the burglars being disturbed, approximately £7,000 worth of damage was caused to the premises.'

The Haverstock Hill practice had only just been refitted after a previous burglary on June 1 when £25,000 of damage was caused and approximately 16 pairs of sunglasses were stolen. A further 90 to 100 frames were broken by the thieves when forcing display racks from the walls.