Ankit Vaghela, owner of the beloved vegetarian restaurant Padharo in Southampton, England, recounted the distressing ordeal of personally investigating a burglary at his establishment after local police failed to respond promptly to his emergency call.

The incident occurred late on July 31, 2025, when three intruders smashed through the premises, stealing cash from the register and several bottles of premium alcohol before fleeing. Vaghela, hailing from Gujarat, India, reviewed CCTV footage himself and discovered the discarded cash register and shattered bottles nearby, highlighting a growing concern over rising commercial break-ins in the UK's south coast city.

Heartbroken but resilient, Vaghela and his team cleaned up the glass-strewn site to reopen quickly, as closing would devastate their business ahead of Padharo's fourth anniversary celebrations later in August. He expressed frustration over the police's response, which instructed him to email footage and promised a review in three to five days without immediate forensics. This marks the second burglary at Padharo in a year; a previous attempt in 2024 resulted in the intruder injuring themselves and fleeing empty-handed. Vaghela voiced safety worries for other city-center businesses, noting a pattern of similar targeting that has left the local community on edge.

Hampshire Police acknowledged the impact of such crimes, stating that deployment decisions prioritize immediate threats, but confirmed an ongoing investigation with CCTV analysis and public appeals for information. Southampton has seen a spike in burglaries, with UK government data from 2023-2024 reporting over 4,500 incidents in Hampshire, including a 10 percent rise in commercial thefts amid economic pressures post-Brexit. The city's port status and diverse population, including a significant Indian diaspora of around 10,000 residents, make it a vibrant yet vulnerable hub for immigrant-owned enterprises like Padharo, which recently hosted the Indian women's cricket team during their ODI match against England.

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The incident has galvanized community support, with Vaghela's social media post urging vigilance and receiving an outpouring of solidarity from locals and fellow business owners. Padharo, known for its authentic Gujarati and North Indian cuisine, has become a cultural staple since opening in 2021, drawing patrons for its plant-based menu and warm hospitality. Vaghela remains hopeful for justice, emphasizing trust in the system while calling for better police resources to combat urban crime waves that disproportionately affect small businesses.

This case underscores broader challenges for the UK's Indian-origin entrepreneurs, who contribute significantly to the economy— with over 20,000 Indian restaurants nationwide generating billions annually— yet face hurdles like delayed law enforcement responses. As investigations continue, Vaghela's proactive stance serves as a reminder of community resilience in the face of adversity, potentially prompting local authorities to enhance patrols in high-risk areas.

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