A new city centre security shop has suffered a blow in its first two weeks of trading after the frontage was vandalised not once, but twice.

Kustomys Security on London Road, St Albans, had not even officially opened when partners Emma Perkins and Neil Robin came in to the shop on Monday, July 13, to find one of the shopfront’s flags had been ‘ripped off’ and a pole bent.

Emma, who lives in Hertford, said: “I love St Albans, I’ve always loved coming here. St Albans isn’t the type of place you expect this to happen. It took me by surprise.”

The South African flag targeted is one of five flags placed around 10ft off the floor on the shopfront to represent all the nations the company trades with.

After the first incident the couple were shocked to come in the following Sunday (18) to find the same thing had happened to their British flag.

Emma added: “You might expect some nuisance at first but not twice in the first two weeks.

“I’m hoping it’s not because we have been targeted. Maybe it’s just a Jack the lad messing around.”

Despite being a security shop, the couple’s CCTV didn’t capture the culprits, who were out of shot.

Emma commented: “I can appreciate the irony.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Herts police on the non-emergency number 101.