Dad's scared of what he'll see when he walks his dog in the morning

A dad has spoken about the fear he has every morning when walking his dog after his business was targeted three times in the last six months. Dan Johnstone runs 600 Degrees, a pizza restaurant and takeaway on Sandon Road in Hillside, Southport, which he first started in 2017 before making it his full-time income in 2021.

But for the last six months, he has been targeted in three acts of vandalism which has left him thinking about what he might find every morning. The first incident happened in April and then again in August, now he has spoken out after the third act of criminality hit his business on September 5 when he arrived to find the windows of the restaurant smashed.

Speaking to the ECHO, he explained how he has had to step up security at home as he fears for both his own and his family's safety. He said: "I'm a normal guy, I don't make enemies, I just want to survive.

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"My wife is a headteacher and it's affecting her, it's affecting the family. It's had a big impact on us but everyone in the community has been very supportive of the business but my concerns are also with the nearby community and the people who live about the restaurant, it's not nice for them either."

He continued: "I walk towards the shop in the morning worrying what I'm going to find when I walk the dog every morning. The financial impact is big as well, it's £800 every time this happens, the most recent one was more than £1,000."

The dad-of-two has since had CCTV installed at the home where he lives with his wife and children, with the 49-year-old hoping he finds out what has led to the continued damage and wanting it to come to an end. He said: "I just want a resolution and an understanding as to why this keeps happening.

"I'm not looking to antagonise anyone, this is horrible and I just want it to end."

CCTV shows the shocking moment the brazen criminal targets the restaurant in the most recent attack as he attempts to the smash the windows. Since the attack, Dan has been forced to board up the front of the restaurant and admits he's concerned about how "dull and dark" it can be inside until it's fixed.

Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for information following a report of criminal damage to a property in Birkdale. It was reported that at around 2.10am on Wednesday 4 September that the window and door of 600 Degrees on Sandon Road were smashed.

"Enquires are being carried out and officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone who captured any CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage to please get in touch. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook with reference be 24000763536."