THE owner of a Tibetan restaurant and food stall in Oxford is ‘shocked but not surprised’ after the establishment was the latest victim of a burglary.

Julie Kleeman, who owns Taste Tibet in Magdalen Road with her husband Yeshi Jampa, said the pair feel ‘really unsettled’ after the incident which saw about £700 of their stock stolen.

The culprit, who was caught on CCTV, broke into the restaurant’s front window using a large hammer in the early hours of Tuesday (April 16).

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They did not wake up one of the restaurant’s chefs, who was sleeping upstairs, but did manage to make off with cash, drinks, a speaker, and food from the fridge including chicken and beef.

“It’s the first time something like this has happened to us,” said Mrs Kleeman.

“It’s happened to lots of local businesses around Oxford, so it wasn’t a surprise although it is still very shocking.

“We’re definitely fearful now. Out of the other local businesses that have been targeted, many have been targeted more than once.

“It’s clear once the perpetrator knows what’s there they come back for more. We definitely feel really unsettled.

“We operate on trust, you know. Our thoughts on it have changed forever.”

Police were called after the incident and visited the premises the following day to take statements from the couple.

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They also asked to look at the CCTV but the duo haven’t heard back from the force since then.

“The intruder clearly was not deterred at all by the CCTV,” said Mrs Kleeman. “We will be looking to install an alarm system.”

She added that they hope an arrest will be made soon as it will help them to feel ‘more reassured’.

“Right now it feels like another day that passes without a break-in is a relief,” she said. “We have the fear this will happen again and soon.

“It'll definitely be reassuring when there is an arrest in that at least one offender is off the streets – everybody will feel relieved.”

The couple first opened the Taste Tibet food stall in 2014 and opened their first permanent site in Magdalen Road during the Covid pandemic.

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They even released a Taste Tibet cookbook which was published by Murdoch Books in March 2022.

It was shortlisted in the Guild of Food Writers Awards, and is the winner of a Gourmand World Cookbooks Award.

If you saw anything in relation to this break-in, contact Thames Valley Police quoting the reference number 43240173269.

Thames Valley Police has been asked for an update on the investigation.