Hampshire Constabulary

Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary took place at a business in Portsmouth for the third time in nine days.

At around 10.30pm on Sunday, November 15, an offender forced entry to the rear of The Laundromat on Copnor Road, before searching the premises and taking a cash tin containing around £60.

A neighbour was awoken by the noise and went to rear of the property, confronting the offender.

The offender hit the man with a crowbar, before dropping the cash tin and escaping on a mountain bike down Kensington Road, towards Battenburg Road.

Between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on November 6 the front door of The Laundromat was smashed and £150 was stolen.

Around 11am on November 12 offenders again accessed the shop and stole £100.

The man suffered bruising to his back and arm, but did not attend hospital.

The offender is described as:

• White
• Aged between 20 and 25 years old
• Slim build
• Dark hair
• Narrow face
• Wearing grey Adidas trousers, a black leather jacket and a lighter coloured hooded jumper worn under the jacket, with the hood pulled up

Detective Constable Ian Cambridge said, “A burglary has taken place at the Laundromat in Copnor Road three times in the last nine days. It is a possibility that the same suspect could be responsible for all three burglaries. On the third occasion man who lives near to the business was attacked as he confronted the burglar.

“The offender had to jump over a wall to access the premises, which was painted with anti vandal paint, and so they may have had some of the paint left on their skin or clothes. We would like to hear from anyone who may have any information which would lead to the identity of the offender – do you know someone who fits this description or may have been involved?”