Stanley McIlwaine, company director of Fermanagh clothes retail chain SD Kells, said he believes that “more robberies” will take place on businesses after their SD Kells shop on Bedford Street in Belfast fell victim to thieves at the weekend.

The incident took place on Friday, April 3 at 8.30pm with the robbers making away with items of clothing that they placed in the boot of a Vauxhall Corsa after ramming the front of the shop.

Mr. McIlwaine explained that most of the stock that was stolen came from the “top brands” including Gant. “It was those top brands that they seemed to be after,” he explained.

Detective Inspector Andy George of the PSNI explained: “We received a report around 8.30pm that a Vauxhall Corsa had reversed into the front door of the shop causing the window to shatter. A number of suspects then removed items of clothing from the store placing them in the boot of the car. Some of the clothes were recovered after they fell out of the vehicle as the thieves made their escape. The vehicle, which had been reported stolen from the Newtownabbey area on Friday, was recovered a short time later in St Peter’s Court area of Belfast.”

It is understood that a hostile crowd gathered when police first came on the scene of the car but the PSNI would not confirm if this was the case.

“I think it will happen more. You just have to look at the High Streets, they are so quiet. There are not many people out so it gives the opportunity to others to operate and rob shops where they might not be able to do it.”

Mr. McIlwaine, who has said his company has had to “put his business to sleep” because of the Covid-19 breakout explained that the robbery was one more thing to deal with but he said it is something the business will do: “It is the situation that we are in and we have no other option but to get on with it now and deal with it as best as possible. Let’s hope the virus eases off and we get back in to business.”

Detective Inspector George appealed to the public for information: “I am appealing for anyone with information regarding this crime to contact us. Police are aware that footage of this incident is circulating online and I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who has recorded dash-cam or mobile phone footage. Please call 101, quoting reference 1515 03/04/20.”