Southsea cafe owners “intimidated” by man acting aggressively who previously smashed windows
Windows were previously smashed at the cafe
Owners of a Southsea cafe were left “intimidated” by a man acting aggressively who they said had previously smashed their shop windows.
Farm Kitchen in Palmerston Road was reportedly targeted by the individual on Friday who sat outside the venue playing loud music and “behaving in a disturbing and intimidating manner”.
The owners, in a post on Facebook, said: “Today has been incredibly distressing for us at our café and restaurant.
“The same individual who smashed all of our shop windows a few months ago has returned and is sitting directly outside our business, playing loud music and behaving in a disturbing and intimidating manner.
“We contacted the police because we were genuinely concerned for the safety of our staff, our customers and ourselves. We were told that no officers would be attending.”
The post added: “As cafe and restaurant owners, we work hard every day to create a safe, welcoming environment for our community.
“Small businesses are the heart of our local economy, yet situations like this leave us feeling vulnerable and unsupported.
“No business owner should have to choose between protecting their staff and customers and feeling safe in their own workplace. We should not be left to deal with intimidating behaviour on our own.
“We sincerely hope that those responsible for protecting our communities recognise the impact these situations have on small businesses and take them seriously.”
Police said they had a report around 4.30pm of a man reportedly “drunk and shouting at multiple people”. No one was arrested.