Robberies and ram raid shut off-licence

An off-licence repeatedly targeted by robbers and ram-raiders has been forced to close.

The branch of Unwins at Camden Square has shut after suffering six recent attacks amid complaints by residents that the area is being plagued by young criminals.

Workers and a manager had already left the store in Murray Street before Christmas and Unwins decided to sell it. But a ramraid last Friday night - the second in weeks - convinced the chain to close the outlet last Sunday. "The whole front of the store was shoved in and that has sealed our resolve not to continue trading," said Unwins spokesman Ian McLernon. "As of Sunday, trading has ceased and we will not be reopening."

An Unwins sales assistant said: "Staff and the manager working at the time of the robberies before Christmas were very shaken up and left. Unwins is fed up with the violence being meted out to its staff."

A local shopkeeper, Akbar Karimian, added: "Some kids hanging around the street do crime to buy drugs." The Metropolitan Police said it had increased patrols in the area.