A fish and chip shop owner in Greenwich has been left furious and out of pocket after a brazen thief smashed his front door to steal a cash float consisting largely of 10p coins.
Smash and Grab for Small Change
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Jack the Chipper on Creek Road. CCTV footage captured the moment a figure in a beanie hat hopped off a bicycle before forcefully kicking in the shop's glass door.
Owner Mehmet Cafer, 44, described the intruder as a 'professional' who was wearing gloves. The thief went straight for the till, filling his pockets with cash. 'He took all the cash including the coins, even the 10p's. It is disgusting,' Mehmet said.
Despite the dramatic break-in, the haul was small. The stolen money was worth under £150, with a significant portion being low-value coins. However, the damage inflicted is severe, with repair costs estimated at around £2,000.
'This is the Third Time' - Owner's Frustration
For Mehmet Cafer, the break-in is part of a distressing pattern. 'I am very angry - this is the third time it has happened to us,' he stated. The owner believes Greenwich is declining, citing increased graffiti and a spate of crimes targeting local businesses.
His frustration extends to the police response. 'I spoke to the police and nothing is happening. They didn't even come to get the CCTV. They must be too busy,' he claimed. The break-in was discovered at 6am when the fresh fish delivery arrived, prompting Mehmet to rush to the scene.
The shop itself has been no stranger to controversy, with some locals previously complaining that its punny name was 'glorifying a serial killer'. The owner stands by the name and has no plans to change it.
Passion Overcomes Setbacks
Despite the financial blow and repeated targeting, Mehmet vows he will never give up on his business. 'Fish and chips is a passion for me, I love it,' he affirmed. He reported that trading was already difficult, with sales down since the start of the year, and the thefts only compound the problem.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the incident was reported to them and that enquiries are ongoing. For now, the owner of Jack the Chipper is left to foot a hefty bill for a crime that netted the perpetrator little more than a pocketful of small change.
