Ivory Taylor, Colchester installs new security measures

Suzanne Taylor vowed to turn Ivory Taylor salon into Colchester’s Fort Knox after being targeted by thieves for a fourth time, last month.

Brazen crooks caused more than £5,000 worth of damage during their overnight raid at the salon in Highwoods Square after they removed the glass from the front door and walked in.

Once inside they helped themselves to hairdressing equipment belonging to the staff and a series of oils and products.

Suzanne, who has run the salon for 23 years, has now tightened its security by fitting grills and gates to the affected doors and windows, while fixing bolts were welded on for an extra layer of protection.

Crooks entered through the front door last month

“It’s not what they take, it’s the damage they do getting in which costs me the most money,” she explained.

“The damage cost me about £5,000 to repair before an additional £1,800 to add the extra security measures, and this isn’t including the cost of having to replace the stolen items.”

Suzanne told how she rushed to the salon in pyjamas with her daughter, 20, at 3am when the alarm was raised on the night.

The whole incident has now left her worried about spending a night away from Colchester in case the site is targeted for a fifth time by criminals.

The freshly secured salon

She said: “I was meant to go to London to teach for three days but I just couldn’t go knowing it could get broken into again and I couldn’t be there.

“The worst effect has been the psychological impact which has been really distressing and it has been very upsetting for the staff too.

“My daughter, who works at the salon, saw a shadow of someone in the car park the other night and was so worried she couldn’t bring herself to go any further alone.

“But these people wear masks and gloves when they steal things, so even if you catch them on camera or see them, you can’t identify them.”