VANDALS took advantage of a lack of CCTV in Worcester city centre to smash the windows of two shops, claim the managers of the stores.

The people in charge of The Sony Centre and Milletts, which are next door to each other in The Shambles, are angry when news of the shut-down was revealed.

The Worcester News decided not to run with the story on cameras being switched off for up-grading, but the local radio station, BBC Hereford & Worcester, felt it was in the "public interest" to inform people.

Kevin Kirkland, aged 28, is the manager of The Sony Centre and did not think this was a good idea, especially in the light of last Friday night's attacks.

He said: "I am very annoyed at the fact that the news was released. We have never suffered anything like this before now. It has given vandals a free opportunity to do what they want, knowing they won't get caught.

"I don't think they wanted to break in. I think they were just messing around, safe in the knowledge they weren't on camera.

"People complain about CCTV, but this just goes to show how valuable it is for businesses and for the safety of the public."

Catherine Harris, manager at the leisure and outdoor store, Milletts, said: "We haven't had trouble before either. I don't think it is a coincidence that this happened when it did."

It is estimated that £400 damage was done to The Sony Centre, and £300 damage done to Milletts.

A spokesman for Worcester Police said they were appealing for witnesses to the two incidents, which are thought to have happened between 6pm last Friday and 8.30am on Saturday, October 28.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08457 444 888, quoting 244S/281006 for the first incident or 293S/281006 for the second.

The spokesman said it was impossible to link the incidents with the current up-grading of the city's CCTV cameras. He added that there hadn't been an increase in incidents in the city centre since the news was released.