In a frustrating ordeal that left him both angry and determined, Southampton restaurateur Ankit Vaghela was forced to investigate a burglary at his own restaurant after police failed to attend immediately. Vaghela, who runs Padharo — a well-loved vegetarian restaurant on East Street — discovered that thieves had smashed their way inside late at night on July 31, stealing cash and expensive alcohol before fleeing.
CCTV footage captured three intruders breaking in, but when Vaghela reported the incident, he was told that officers would not be able to review the damage for three to five working days and that no forensic support was available at the time. “It was very heartbreaking,” he said, noting that the restaurant will celebrate its fourth anniversary later this month.
Left without help, the Gujarati-born restaurateur retraced the burglars’ steps himself, finding his broken cash register abandoned — with the money gone — and surveying the wreckage of smashed liquor bottles and shattered glass. Despite the loss, Vaghela and his team quickly cleaned up, replaced the glass, and reopened to avoid prolonged closure. However, operating without a working cash register remains a challenge.
The burglary was especially unsettling as it came almost exactly a year after a previous break-in, when an intruder left empty-handed but injured. Vaghela said the repeat crime raises serious safety concerns for businesses in the city centre, many of which have been targeted in similar incidents. Still, he insists on “trusting the process” and hoping for justice.
The incident occurred just days after Padharo hosted members of the Indian women’s cricket team, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who were visiting Southampton for an ODI match against England. Following the break-in, the local community responded with an outpouring of support after the restaurant shared its experience online. In their post, Padharo urged others to “be extra vigilant” and vowed not to let the crime define them: “We are back open… Now, more than ever, we’re relying on our wonderful community.”
Hampshire Police confirmed that an investigation is underway, stating they “do not underestimate” the impact such crimes have on victims. However, the force defended its delayed attendance, explaining that based on the initial report — with the offenders no longer at the scene — the investigation could begin without an immediate presence.
The break-in has once again sparked questions about how quickly police should respond to crimes that threaten the livelihoods of small business owners, even when suspects have already fled.
