A shopkeeper plagued by vandalism and burglaries, says he will not be run out of town by a minority of ignorant people.

Madhusudan Kariv, owns the Delta Wine convenience store in Dock Road, Tilbury, but is struggling to cope with constant abuse and attacks on the store.

Mr Kariv's wife Kamlesh, said: "The problems started last year, and in the past four weeks the store has been attacked three times."

She believes the attacks are racially motivated, and are being carried out by ignorant youngsters.

She said: "They come in to the store and tell my husband they don't like us and want us to leave. But we have no intention of leaving.

"We have lived in this country since 1977 and are part of the community. We are not going to just go away."

In the latest string of incidents the store window has been smashed twice and in the early hours of August 15 burglars broke in through the boarded up window.

Mrs Kariv said approximately £2,000 of stock was taken in the burglary, and each time the window is broken it costs nearly £400 to replace.

She added: "It is both emotionally stressful and financially draining, but my husband is very determined to keep going.

"It is only a minority of people who are the problem. Most people appreciate the work my husband has put into providing a nice store for members of the community to shop in."

The Kariv's family car has also been attacked over the years and after the vandals caused more than £2,000 of damage to it last year they no longer park it in the area.

Mrs Kariv says nobody seems bothered about what is happening and the response from the police has left much to be desired. She said: "There has been a very laid back approach from the police."

Det Insp Ian Stevenson, of Thurrock police, said: "Tilbury police are investigating a series of burglaries at shops and business premises in the area.

"Some or all may have been committed by the same person and at this stage there is no evidence of an overriding racist nature to these crimes.

"However, if any individual victim considers an offence to be racially motivated then it will be treated as such, and will, of course, be a priority."

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