After an overnight burglary at BKRY, a much-loved independent Berkshire bakery in Caversham, Reading, the shop’s owner has spoken about the emotional impact and the strength of community support that followed.
The incident is a reminder that small retailers remain vulnerable to out-of-hours crime, and many may need to revisit their security setup.
TL;DR Break in at local Berkshire bakery
BKRY, a popular café in Caversham, was broken into overnight in late June. A window was smashed and the till was stolen, despite it containing no cash.
While the owner praised the response from police and the local community, the burglary highlights the need for reinforced entry points, alarms, and specialist shop CCTV systems.
Overnight burglary in Caversham leaves Berkshire bakery owner shaken, but grateful
On Friday, June 28, thieves broke into BKRY, a well-known Berkshire bakery and café near Reading.
The offenders smashed a window, entered the premises and stole the till, which contained no money.
Owner of Caversham based BKRY, Zoe White said police arrived quickly and were very supportive, as were local residents who helped clear up glass and check in on the business.
The store reopened the next day.
Despite the community response, Zoe admitted the incident was unsettling:
“We were a bit shaken up by the break-in, but it was great to feel so supported.”
Industry response: Independent shops need simple, strong deterrents
“Small shops like bakeries and cafés are often seen as soft targets, especially overnight. Reinforced doors, window sensors, and monitored alarms can make a huge difference. You want your store to look like a hard target to anyone passing by after hours.”
— Chris Clifton, Technical Director, Safeguard Systems
Recommended security systems for retailers in Reading and Berkshire
Even in well-supported neighbourhoods, shop break-ins are an ongoing issue. These are the top systems we recommend for small shops, cafés, and bakeries.
Look for a good local CCTV installer in Reading to install a robust security camera system to protect your premises.
Shopfront CCTV and internal cameras
A visible CCTV setup helps deter would-be thieves:
- Covers doors, windows, and till areas
- Night vision or low-light compatible
- Footage can support police investigations
- Remote access via smartphone apps
Intruder alarms with window and door sensors
Alarms reduce dwell time and encourage quick exits:
- Triggered when glass breaks or a door is forced
- Loud internal sirens or silent alerts to the monitoring centre
- Can activate external lights or CCTV recording
- 24/7 response with police escalation
Reinforced entry points and deterrents
Physical security helps delay or prevent access:
- Laminated safety glass or security film
- Reinforced doors and locks
- Roller shutters or hinged metal grilles
- Signage showing CCTV/alarm presence
Panic buttons and lighting for lone workers
For staff working early or late:
- Panic buttons at the till or under the counters
- Motion-triggered lighting for dark mornings or evenings
- Visible presence reduces perceived vulnerability
How can we help protect your bakery from crime?
Community spirit is powerful, but prevention is better
Incidents like the burglary at this Berkshire bakery show how important local support can be after a crime. However, prevention remains the most effective strategy.
Shops shouldn’t have to rely on luck or goodwill after the fact. With basic improvements in security systems, many break-ins can be deterred entirely or stopped before loss occurs.
If you’re keen to keep up to date with what’s happening across the county, read our Berkshire Crime News Report (2025).
Conclusion: Berkshire bakery burglary
While the Caversham community rallied behind BKRY, the incident reminds us that even the most loved local businesses can be targeted.
Reviewing your shop’s security can reduce the risk, protect your team, and ensure peace of mind.
FAQs
On June 28, BKRY café in Caversham was broken into overnight. A window was smashed and the till was stolen, though it contained no money. Police attended promptly, and the owner received strong support from the local community. The café reopened the next day.
Independent retailers like bakeries and cafés are seen as easy targets, especially if they lack visible security. Thieves often assume there’s cash on-site and minimal alarm protection. Window access, late hours, and poor lighting can all contribute to increased risk.
CCTV acts as a visible deterrent and supports police investigations if a crime occurs. It can monitor entrances, till areas, and public spaces, and many systems offer remote viewing. Signage showing CCTV is in use also helps to discourage opportunistic theft or vandalism.
Monitored alarms immediately alert a response team or police when triggered, whether by door contact, glass break sensors, or motion detection. This ensures quick action even when no one is on-site, reducing loss and improving the chance of catching offenders.
Reinforced doors, laminated windows, internal locking bars, and exterior shutters all help strengthen your store’s defences. Security film on windows can delay forced entry, while door sensors and alarms trigger alerts as soon as a break-in attempt begins.
