Skip to content

'Sledgehammer' burglary treated as race hate crime

BBC A smashed window of a fast food shop, printed on it is a multi-coloured 'OPEN' sign and a picture of a pizza, fanta can and chips. BBC
Three masked individuals used sledgehammers to damage the front door of Pizza Max in Bushmills

Police are treating a burglary at a pizzeria in County Antrim as a racially-motivated hate crime.

Three masked individuals used sledgehammers to damage the front door of Pizza Max in Bushmills on Wednesday morning. They then caused further damage inside.

Sandeep Kumar, who manages the business, said nothing had been stolen during the burglary, but that damage had been caused to the fridge and freezers, as well as other equipment.

He said there had been no warning, or threat, prior to the incident, and vowed to stay on in the premises.

Sandeep Kumar, with brown hair and beard, wearing green top.
Sandeep Kumar, who manages Pizza Max in Bushmills, said damage had been caused to the fridge and freezers, as well as other equipment

"I will be staying here, but we need to find out what is the problem," he told BBC News NI.

"My landlord called me this morning, he is very upset.

"I am friendly with everybody."

Mr Kumar said he had received support from "a lot of people" in the village, with help being offered.

'We'll stand tall'

Smashed glass all over the ground and a wooden frame and red sticky velcro material on the glass
It is not believed that anything was taken from inside the pizzeria

Police said they received a report at 02:25 BST of the incident. It is not believed that anything was taken.

No one was inside the premises at the time.

The business said the incident was "heartbreaking".

In a post on Facebook, Pizza Max Bushmills said: Our Bushmills store, which has been working hard to serve the local community with love and dedication, was vandalised. We're here trying to build something good - but this is what we got in return."

In the post, the business owners gave thanks to supporters and added: "We'll clean up, stand tall, and continue growing stronger. Let's continue to spread kindness, not damage."

The police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.