Sydenham French bistro vandalised by 'jealous' thugs after Time Out award

Vandals: The owners claim the damage was motivated by jealousy
Ben Morgan17 November 2016
WEST END FINAL

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A camper van converted into a fine French bistro has been attacked by "jealous" thugs just days after being named the best restaurant in Sydenham.

La Petite Bouchée owners Caroline and Anita-Clare Field woke up on Thursday morning to a Facebook message telling them their camper van-restaurant had been vandalised.

The pair opened the French Bistro in an old Citroen HY camper in Sydenham Wells Park in 2014 and they have built a cult following.

It was named best restaurant in Sydenham in the Time Out Love London Awards during a ceremony on Monday night.

But overnight on Wednesday every window in the van had been smashed in what the owners believe was a "malicious" and "pre-meditated" attack.

Anita-Clare, 48, said: "It feels like we have been abused.

"The police think like me, that because of the nature of what's happened it's not just vandalism.

"Devastated": The venue had just won a Time Out award

"Every window was smashed. If it was vandals then they would smash one window and run off.

"If it was a serious thief they would have just trashed it and strewn things over the park.

"We think it was pre-meditated and they knew what they were doing."

The bistro will be forced to close this weekend but the defiant owners promised it will reopen next week, as glazers spent most of Thursday repairing the damage.

Caroline, 56, said: "We are devastated. Police believe it was pre-meditated attack by someone jealous of our success.

"We just won the Timeout award on Monday night and we woke up on Thursday to every single window smashed.

"We don't think it was a rival business but someone who may be jealous. We don't know who would do this but the police are convinced it's not just kids having a laugh."

The married couple posted a message on the La Petite Bouchée Facebook page yesterday informing customers of the 'targeted criminal damage.'

They wrote: "We all feel sick to our stomachs that someone could have done this to us. We are all heartbroken."

The couple are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward as they repair the damage.

Anita-Clare added: "It makes me feel physically sick. Whoever did this will see Facebook about how devastated we are.

"We have spent a fortunate on the repairs so we can open again next weekend.

"But this will not stop us."

Police in Lewisham are now investigating the attack.

A spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 7.30am on Thursday to reports of criminal damage to a campervan café in Sydenham Wells Park, Sydenham.

"No arrests have been made and enquires into the incident continue."

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