Hive Café, our community café project in Palace Road, Streatham, has been the subject of a number of alarming criminal attacks over recent weeks. Firstly we had two break-ins and subsequently two incidents in which our windows were smashed. The first time, about half of our windows were broken. A few days later, once they had all been replaced, the second attack saw every window in the whole café smashed. For anyone who knows our premises, one of the things that make it such a delightful space are the floor to ceiling windows which flood the space with light. CCTV footage shows a man approaching the premises with a lump hammer and deliberately breaking each window. Sadly, to date, the CCTV images have not led to the perpetrator of the deliberate vandalism being identified. Although, we have learned recently that someone has been apprehended for one of the break-ins. The news of this vandalism has shocked the whole community. The café has wonderful support from the local community who have rallied round following each incident and offered help and fantastic words of support and comfort to the team at Hive.
Sadly, the café will now have to remain closed until we have security shutters fitted to the entire exterior of the building. This could take a few weeks, but we will keep everyone posted here and on social media.
I would like to thank Jenni, the café manager and all of her team for the outstanding strength and resolve they have shown though this whole challenging time. To the local community, our excellent local councilors, Palace Road Estate Residents Association, colleagues at Lambeth Council and all of our online supporters, we all send our gratitude for your ongoing support.
Andrew Preston, Chief Executive Officer, Rathbone.
Leave a Reply