Canal cafe wrecked after double burglary (From Watford Observer)

The Cafe @ Lock 81 wrecked after double burglary near Batchworth Lock

2:40pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Ben Endley, Senior reporter

A popular Rickmansworth cafe was targeted twice in as many days by thoughtless thugs who stole cash, damaged stock and even left a poorly spelled note.

Christa and David Williams, who run the Cafe @ Lock 81, were left to pick up the pieces after the cafe was broken into last Friday and Saturday night.

A till containing around £60 cash was stolen on the first night but thieves added insult to injury by returning to damage stock, rifle through cupboards and even leave a crude note under a half-eaten piece of cake which read "Sorry we wos hugery".

Despite the relatively small amount of cash stolen, the couple, who live on a boat close to the Batchworth Lock cafe, expect the total bill for replacing broken locks, replenishing stock and lost earnings to be in the region of £1,000.

Christa, 26, said: "The first day it was like, okay let's get on with it but the second time was really bad.

"It just feels like we have done something wrong or everybody hates us, it was just a really low blow.

"You just don’t believe it’s going to happen two nights in a row, I did think about it and on Sunday morning I didn’t want to get up just in case something had happened.

"It was really, really hurtful and the next day I was close to tears and kept breaking down all day."

The thieves cut chains securing the front of the cafe and a bar was then used to force a window open. The same entrance was used by thieves the second night who left the surrounding picnic area strewn with food and condiments.

David, 30, said: "This is the first time anything like this has happened to us, it is just an absolute kick in the teeth.

"But we have cleaned everything out to start again.

"The worst thing is, the Asthma Relief charity box which was also stolen. With everything else I’ll have to pay my excess but I have insurance.

"The charity is not going to see that money which is sickening; it makes you question everything and everyone."

Police confirmed the method of entry was the same on both occasions and the two robberies are being treated as linked.

Despite the robbery the couple say they will use this as an opportunity to make a fresh start and expect to open for business again on Thursday.