Plea to support New Mills businesses after 'appalling' spate of crime in town

Several of the tension cables which run along the Millennium Walkway were damaged sometime between 8pm last Wednesday and 6am the following day.

The bridge had to be closed by New Mills Town Council for safety reasons and police are investigating the damage.

Officers are also investigating what is thought to be a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries in the area.

A window was smashed at an Indian takeaway on Market Street at around 6.30pm on Friday and police believe this may have been an attempt to break in.

A hairdressers and a Chinese takeaway on Church Road and a fish and chip shop on High Hill Road were targeted sometime in the early hours of Sunday, possibly around 5.15am.

The doors to the premises were damaged with the till stolen from the fish and chip shop and cash taken from the till at the Chinese takeaway.

A charity shop on Union Road was also broken into sometime overnight between Sunday and Monday and a charity collection box was stolen.

Labour MP Mrs George said: "I am appalled at all the crime committed against businesses in New Mills over the Bank Holiday weekend, the cutting of the suspension wire for the Millennium Walkway and the threats from gangs of youths coming into New Mills.

"I've contacted the police who have been patrolling New Mills as different groups of people have come into the town this weekend to commit crime and anti-social behaviour. They are reviewing all the evidence and meeting tomorrow to go through it.

"All information is being collected via calls to 101 so if anyone has any information, however small, please phone it through.

"Having lived in New Mills for 15 years, I know the community will all pull together.

"But it will be hard for businesses in New Mills - please shop local and give them as much support as you can."