Family fed up with attacks on cafe

Owner Steven Kelly spoke out after two men broke into the Crown Cafe, causing hundreds of pound of damage.

Mr Kelly, who works as a salesman during the week, thought he saw one of the men urinating in front of the cafe as he was driving past.

But by the time he had parked up they had gone – and he realised the door had been forced through.

“I felt sick,” said Mr Kelly, 53. “We don’t keep cash there so they only took 60p, but the repairs are going to cost us £400 or £500.

“It is gut-wrenching,” he added. “We are a small family business trying to keep the prices down and feed the people of Cleckheaton.”

The incident happened between 4.30pm and 5pm last Thursday.

Mr Kelly has owned the cafe in Westgate for nearly three years but in that time windows have been smashed and doors have been damaged.

During a previous break-in it was just a packet of bacon that was stolen.

Mr Kelly’s wife Irene and daughter Kim run the shop day-to-day, and he helps out on weekends.

“We are working seven days a week,” he said. “We are just fed up.”

Mr Kelly plans to fit roller shutters on his windows to protect them, which will set him back £2,500.

Both suspects are described as white, in their mid to late 20s and of skinny build.

The first man was wearing white zipper-type jogging bottoms and was around 5ft 8ins tall.

The second man was wearing a dark blue top and dark blue baggy jeans and was around 5ft 10ins tall.

PC Christopher Birkenshaw of the Batley and Spen NPT said:“I would appeal to anyone who saw this incident to contact me directly on 01924 206357 or on 101.”