Masked pair smash cocktail bar windows in Southampton attack

William Smith and Tommy Compton, who own three businesses in the area - Pink Olive Café, Comptons Cocktails and the Little Hair Company on Manor Farm Road - had been preparing for weeks to launch Pink Olive, which only opened its doors last month.

To mark the occasion, the pair invested heavily in a vibrant street celebration, complete with live music and a stage built directly into the road, aiming to bring the Bitterne community together for a night of food, drink and entertainment.

But just hours before the celebration was due to begin, the pair’s sense of anticipation turned to shock.

The windows were smashed by men wearing balaclavas (Image: Submitted)

Two men wearing balaclavas on scooters targeted Comptons Cocktails, directly opposite the new café, smashing every front window with what is believed to have been a rock in a late-night attack that left the premises shattered and the owners reeling.

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William said: "Two individuals wearing balaclavas on scooters smashed all of our front windows, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage just hours before an event that we had spent months organising.

"First of all we thought it was just a single window - as they got closer we realised they had used a rock to smash every single one."

The incident was caught on CCTV (Image: Submitted)

He added: "It’s devastating to us as business owners. I don’t know why somebody would do this to us, particularly when we wanted to put on something special for the Bitterne community to enjoy.

"We have managed to get about £500 from the insurance but that won’t cover it — it’s going to cost us thousands of pounds.

"What has been fantastic is the outpouring of support from people here in the community.

"We have had messages from people asking if they can help, so we set up a GoFundMe page and I’m really glad to say we have already raised over £1,000.

"I’m really shocked that nobody from the police has been out to visit us. We do feel a bit let down by that."

Despite the setback, the street party went ahead.

The street party went ahead despite the vandalism (Image: Submitted)

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "We received a report that a window of Comptons on Manor Farm Road was smashed on June 19 between 11pm and midnight.

"Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference 44260291621."