A hammer-wielding vandal smashed up small businesses on Glossop Rod on Saturday night, leaving owners fearing for spiralling insurance costs.

Only small businesses were vandalised, while other chain shops, such as Morrisons and Sainsburys, were left untouched.

Many shop owners were left angry with Sheffield City Council, who denied permits for shutters to protect their businesses.

George, 69, of George’s Jewellery, commented: “I don’t fear for the safety of the street. I fear and worry about the people like me, who unfortunately because of the cost of insurance hasn’t got insurance to cover the exterior glass.

Alim Mutlu, 43, who works at Med Food Co, one of the shops attacked said “The owner told me that some guy with a hammer started from our shop and hit about ten other shops. Their windows are broken.”

George added: “Originally, when I opened this shop, I applied to Sheffield council to have shutters. In their great wisdom, they declined. Sheffield council are a law unto themselves.”

Other shop owners are worried about the increase in insurance costs.

Samuel Ogle-Tinsom, 24, of Trixie’s Pantry, said: “It’s really frustrating that so many small independent businesses have been hit as the result of the actions of one individual.

“The disappointing thing is the cost of this is ultimately going to brought on us because yes we’ll have insurance that will cover some of it but the excess and the increase in the insurance premiums are going to mean that we’re the ones that are paying for this senseless act of vandalism and violence.”

A spokesperson from South Yorkshire Police said a man been charged in connection to criminal damage in Sheffield.

“Robin Hart, 51, of no fixed address was arrested. He has since been charged with 13 counts of criminal damage and remanded in custody. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 29 April 2024.”