A MAN scared off a burglar after he spotted him attempting to break into his friend's shop in the early hours of the morning.

After being confronted outside Transfer on Ombersley Road, the burglar ran off towards Pinkett Street empty handed on Sunday at about 2am.

It comes 18 months after a burglar broke into the independent skate, scooter and BMX shop stealing £2,000 worth of bikes and equipment.

Owner Dale Dickinson said: "It was lucky because a friend of our son was driving past and stopped and approached the person and they ran off.

"We increased the security and locks on the door since the last time we were broken into so I am not sure they would have gotten in anyway.

"We have done all we can to protect the shop after we were broken into, we can't do anymore unless we stand outside 24/7.

"They took £2,000 worth of scooters last time and for a small family business that's quite a lot of our stuff.

"We're a small business and it is hard out there.

"Everything we buy we buy ourselves, we're not a big corporate chain but it is bad that they do it to anyone.

"It's a niche market, you're never going to make a fortune doing it but it keeps kids off the streets and keeps them happy rather than on the computer.

"They don't care about ruining our lives though."

The attempted burglar is described as at least six foot tall, thin, with a ginger beard and wearing a grey tracksuit and a baseball cap.

The family believe the items were stolen to order last time and have wondered whether the burglar was attracted after they advertised in store and online that they had new scooters.

"The police and insurance company warned last time the person may try again two months later when they know we've been restocked but we have had no issues since until Saturday night when this person was seen trying to get in.

"We learned from last time and everything is chained down and anything steal-able is stored away."

Anyone who saw something suspicious should call 101 quoting incident number 245s of February 19.