A RAMPAGING gang of women who terrorised a designer clothes shop got away with £1,000 of stock. Cache, an upmarket women s evening wear shop in Harpenden High Street, was robbed by a gang of five women last Tuesday afternoon. Describing it as a traumatic

A RAMPAGING gang of women who terrorised a designer clothes shop got away with £1,000 of stock.

Cache, an upmarket women's evening wear shop in Harpenden High Street, was robbed by a gang of five women last Tuesday afternoon.

Describing it as a traumatic experience, shop owner Patricia Adams said: "They barged straight past me, snarling and swearing in an aggressive manner. Several designer dresses were taken, and one girl even re-entered the shop to grab some more".

She said that the thieves had been targeting shops in the High Street for some time and Cache experienced problems on a weekly basis. She added: "Sometimes it's even a daily occurrence and I find empty hangers shoved in corners of my shop all the time."

Customers are buzzed into Cache but Mrs Adams said that even that security measure did not deter the thieves. "It's so hard to tell who's a genuine customer, because the robbers smile and dress up for the part. That's what's most upsetting about it all: how easily they can fool you."

One of her employees gave in her notice last week because she felt so intimidated by the situation, and Mrs Adams said the attacks had left her feeling scared and alone.

Mrs Adams recently brought a CCTV radio to link with police in case of future attacks and praised the police for how quickly they arrived on the scene last week. She added: "They were brilliant really, and the High Street really needs the help of the police to put a stop to these thefts."

Dan Lamce, assistant manager at the nearby Sazio restaurant in the High Street witnessed the robbery last Tuesday and reported the registration plate number to the police. He maintained he had had trouble with the same group of women and added: "I recognised the woman driving the getaway car. She and five companions ate a three-course meal at my restaurant a couple of months ago, and ran away without paying the £100 bill."

The Daisy Chain Store, also in the High Street, was forced to close last Friday (19) when owner Suzanne Fuzanne saw the gang of women, mostly in their 20s, approaching the children's clothes shop. She said, "I've owned the shop for less than a fortnight but I've already had two attempted thefts. You really have to have eyes in the back of your head here".

Police have arrested a 17-year-old girl in relation to the theft who has been released on police bail until tomorrow (Friday). They are currently examining CCTV footage.