Wirral Pram & Toy shop owner 'heartbroken' after break-in

Sometime between 4.30pm on Friday (November 22) and 10am on Saturday (November 23), raiders broke into the Pram and Toy Centre on Whetstone Lane in Birkenhead. 

Cash and other items were stolen, including a Red Kite Black Stroller, Remote-control black Range Rover in a white box, Egg Isofix bases, Silver Cross changing bags and footmuffs, Silver Cross parasols and BabyStyle changing bags (Oyster).

Shocking pictures show the damage caused by the raiders at the shop, which has been in business for 96 years.

Appealing to the those who broke in, the shop's current owner, Luke Wood, posted: "If you’re reading this I just hope you know how much damage you not only haven’t caused to our building but also to our family.

"Just before Christmas too, just why? Anything you couldn’t take you destroyed. You have caused that much damage to our roof and inside our shop - this could be the end."

The scene of damage at Birkenhead's Pram and toy centre following break-in over the weekend (Image: Pram and toy centre) The statement continued: "I have tried so hard over the last five years to takeover from my dad and keep this business going for the name, my family and our future generations and you have ripped it apart.

"Never in nearly 100 years of trading has this happened! From October - January we turn over just enough to cover our bills and wages as it’s our quietest time of year and now you’ve caused us a new roof and shop floor . . . . I won’t sleep at night and I don’t know how you will either.

"We won’t give up until we find out who done this, you will get caught."

A Gofundme page has been set up by Mr Wood to help pay for repairs. To add your support, click here 

One of the items stolen during break-in at Birkenhead's Pram and toy centre over the weekend (Image: Pram and toy centre)

In a message on the page, Mr Wood said: "It saddens us to write this and we still can’t believe it’s happened, we’re creating this Go Fund Me from the pure love shown to us over the last couple days and everyone wanting to be involved to save our shop from closure.

"For those that may not know, Friday night/early hours Saturday morning our business was broken into. Robbed and destroyed, we simply do not have the funds for a new roof, shop floor and re buying in the shop floor models that have been damaged.

"Never in all the 96 years our family has had this business has this ever happened to us. We really need your help, the Christmas period is our quietest time of year and for those who done this to us, you really have no idea how much pain you’ve caused.

"Over the next few weeks, we will get quotes together and upload them onto here for everyone to see.

The scene of damage at Birkenhead's Pram and toy centre following break-in over the weekend (Image: Pram and toy centre) "As of right now I really don’t know an estimate of cost so I will just set it at £1000 and update anything as soon as I can.

"From everyone in our family, we really do thank and appreciate the love shown, your comments and private messages have been seen and without you people, there is no us ❤️"

Merseyside Police has launched a witness appeal as part of an ongoing investigation.

A Merseyside Police statement read: "Some time between 4.30pm on Friday (November 22) and 10am on Saturday (November 23), entry was gained to Pram and Toy Centre on Whetstone Lane and cash and items were stolen.

"CCTV and forensic enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone who witnessed or captured anyone acting suspiciously on CCTV, dashcam or other devices is asked to contact us via @MerPolCC on X, 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook or 101 with reference 24000990899."

The scene of damage at Birkenhead's Pram and toy centre following break-in over the weekend (Image: Pram and toy centre)