A TEENAGE gang threw fireworks into a shop and threatened to firebomb the owner’s Mercedes – before vandalising it with white paint.
Gohar Jabbar, who runs A1 Pets and the neighbouring Costcutter in Leith ’s Great Junction Street said he was being terrorised by the young thugs.
Police said the incidents were being investigated alongside a string of cases, some of which are being treated as hate crimes.
For several weeks, the youngsters have been “hanging around” outside the two stores, making abusive comments to staff and customers.
Mr Jabbar said that the antisocial behaviour escalated last week, when the group threw two firework rockets into the Costcutter before making off.
No-one was hurt and there was no damage, however the shop was left filled with smoke and staff were shaken.
When the group returned the next day, Mr Jabbar told them not to enter the shop – and they threatened to carry out a second attack.
He said: “They came back in front of the shop and they said ‘we’re going to blow up your car and throw fireworks into the shop again’. The next day I just heard a bang and found a big massive pot of paint that had been thrown all over my car.”
Mr Jabbar said that the damage to his blue A Class AMG Mercedes cost him almost £400 to fix.
It is believed up to seven boys, aged around 16 or 17, were involved in the attack.
“They are a group of males as far as we know,” said Mr Jabbar, who has run Costcutter for 20 years and the pet shop for the past two years.
“They are going to check some CCTV cameras and see if they can identify any of them. Maybe they will realise that this is not just a minor matter.”
Inspector Alan Carson from Leith police station said: “We have been made aware of several incidents in and around the Great Junction Street area and we are actively investigating to identify those responsible.
“Several of the offences reported to police are being treated as hate crimes and anyone who can assist us with our investigation is asked to come forward immediately.
“Police Scotland will not tolerate discrimination in any form.”
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