Working on a busy high street, staff at Subway in Kings Heath, Birmingham, are used to dealing with tricky customers.
Teenagers leaping over the counter to steal entire trays of crisps and cookies, however, is not something they were prepared for.
The fizzy drinks fridge has been ransacked numerous times over the summer, the front door and windows smashed. Customers who were unfortunate to witness the attacks have been verbally abused, with one also having his bike vandalised.
“We’ve had a number of staff leave recently,” one worker says. “They should not have to come to work in fear.”
Along the road at Greggs, the gang has rushed in to steal armfuls of food. On one occasion, a female worker who tried to lock the doors to stop them was assaulted by a teenage girl.
A convenience store has been targeted so often they have to keep the doors locked all evening, the manager says as he scrolls through CCTV images of thefts and vandalism.
At Coustis hair salon, where hairdressing siblings Tina Bartlam and Antonio Constantinou have been for 40 years, the windows are boarded up after being smashed.
Kings Heath is known for its good schools, independent shops, lively music and art scene and strong community spirit.
But in recent months, the actions of a few have caused many to feel unsafe and unsure of who is in control.
