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Tattoo parlour break-in forces family business to 'start again'

Thieves broke into a family-run tattoo parlour in the Black Country, ransacking the shop and stealing enough equipment to 'start their own business'.

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The gang turned over Phoenix Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio in Mount Pleasant, Bilston, taking 12 tattoo machines, power packs, leads and around 50 tips and grips for the machines.

Owner Chris Hill, who runs the studio with his son and his son's partner, had to turn away customers who already had bookings and close the shop for a week while they purchased new equipment.

One item that was taken, a limited edition Micky Sharpz tattoo machine, has been called 'irreplaceable' by owner Chris, 53, from Willenhall.

He said: "We are so upset that this has happened, we have been in Bilston for five years and we have plenty of good friends in the town, we can't think who would do this.

"Whoever broke in took enough to start their own business, they took everything we had to do our work with.

With equipment that has been replaced after a break-in, owners (right) Chris Hill junior, with (left) his father Chris Hill senior, both of Willenhall, and (centre) Bill Etheridge MEP

"They must have known what they were after because it is all working equipment and the smaller electrical accessories that go with each piece.

"We are a family business who can't afford for this to happen to us.

"We have basically had to start again, although we can't replace some of the things we have lost.

"The limited edition tattoo machine was my son's. Because of the cost and obviously the fact it is limited edition, it is something we will have to live without unless it can be returned.

"We managed to contact some good suppliers who got some good equipment across to us at short notice so we could start work again."

The total value of the items stolen came to around £1,000.

Members of the public have shared various Facebook posts appealing for information on the theft more than 1,000 times.

Mr Hill said: "The reaction from people wanting to help us has been fantastic and we would like to thank them for that.

"It does show that people care about us and that we have built up a trust within the local community.

"I hope that anyone who knows anything will contact us or the police."

West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge, who Mr Hill contacted in the aftermath of the burglary, has also appealed for people to come forward with information.

He said: "I urge people to keep an eye out for this stolen equipment and for anyone with information about the break-in to contact the police.

"The community has really rallied round this business since the break-in which caused great inconvenience to the owners of this business."

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Kate Baker said the force is investigating the matter. The break-in happened in the early hours of August 13.

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