Help for Key Workers Wrongly Targeted by Covid Vigilantes

28/01/2021

We were called out to sort out a lock that had been superglued - an act of criminal damage that could have delayed frontline health workers from doing their job.

Iris Health and Beauty has remained open during lockdown to provide their osteopath services. These essential services contribute to the wellbeing of Norwich residents, including NHS staff. In line with government guidance, the beauty side of the business has remained closed.

This is clearly stated in large signs on the buildings shopfront on Waterloo Road. Covid vigilantes thought they knew better, sending the business a threatening letter and putting superglue in the doorlock.

In 35 years of locksmithing in Norfolk, we have only seen this a handful of times and never here in the city. It’s an easy enough problem to fix. We replaced the lock with one designed to prevent vandalism.

The business owner, Ms Fordham, who is a registered osteopath and medical acupuncturist, told the Eastern Daily Press: 

"I felt very despondent and deflated when it happened on top of an already stressful year. The locksmith was the hero of the day because he turned up in 10 minutes. Norwich is known to have a tightly knit business community and for me that all came to life on that day. Vigilante activity is not acceptable in a civilised society. Our building is home to a beautician who has been closed for most of this year, in full compliance with government guidance, but osteopaths also work within the building. Osteopaths are front line health care workers."

Both the criminal damage and the hate mail have been reported to the police.

A spokesperson from Norfolk police told the EDP:

 "Police had a report of criminal damage at Waterloo Road. Locks to the premises had been glued shut and a letter left between 10pm on Monday January 11 and 10am on Wednesday, January 13 2021."

If anyone has information about the incident they should contact Norfolk police and quote crime reference number 36/2488/21