A SHOP owner says his business has fallen victim to repeated raids by a gang of youths.

Michael Haylock, who runs the J&M Off Licence in Cleckheaton Road, Low Moor, has spoken out after seeing the turmoil suffered by other crime-hit business-owners in the area.

He says his shop has been targeted around six or seven times in two days, with stock stolen on three occasions.

He fears it could turn into a “nightmare” if it continues.

Last year, the 23-year-old defiantly vowed to carry on trading after a knife-wielding raider struck at the shop just months after it opened.

Mr Haylock said: “It started a couple of days ago. It was youths in a gang, running in, stealing stuff and running back out.

“On Monday, they tried to get in five times.”

He says they grabbed beer before running off in the direction of Low Moor Railway Station.

But Mr Haylock’s ordeal was not over – the culprits returned an hour later and stole tubs of sweets.

“They are so quick, they are straight in and go running out,” he said.

“They get straight through the door and get whatever is closest.”

He added: “If it carries on, it’s going to be a complete nightmare.

“We need more policing down here. I’m just going to have to monitor it. I can’t afford to lose that money – in two days they’ve cost me around £100 in stock.”

Mr Haylock has raised his concerns with Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke), who said he had contacted the local policing team who would be in touch.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Police are aware of some recent reports of shoplifting from this store and have spoken to the owner so further inquiries can be made.”

Meanwhile, burglaries and break-ins have been causing a headache for business-owners in Wyke.

Crime-hit traders in the village issued a plea for more to be done to tackle the problem after a spate of raids.

Jessica Evans, 27, who owns The Sweetie People, Gifts by the Sweetie People and The Ice Cream People, said her businesses had been hit five times. On one occasion, around £4,000 of stock was stolen and on another, the main window of the shop was smashed, shutters were dragged open and two expensive machines were taken.

Cllr Warburton said: “Myself and the other ward councillors will do everything we can to support the businesses, and will work with them and the police to get on top of this problem.”

After concerns were raised in Wyke, business-owners in the Greengates area said their shops had fallen victim to similar crimes.