Blood found after attempted break-in at Walsall book shop
Traces of blood were discovered at a Walsall book shop which had its front window smashed in an attempted break-in, according to police.
Nothing appears to have been taken from Southcart Books on Lower Hall Lane after it was seemingly targeted on Saturday evening.
But the owners are set to face a bill to replace the window which was discovered broken on Sunday.
On Monday, forensic police officers were at the shop taking samples.
Amy Carter, who works at the shop and is partner of owner Scott Southey, said: "We have have had one of the windows smashed but nothing was taken.
"We have had the police around on Monday because a lot of blood was left behind.
"The forensics came and took swabs from the windows.
"I don't know how it happened. It was my birthday Sunday and my son discovered it as he was walking passed.
"Scott went straight down and boarded it up. There was glass everywhere.
"The window which was broken led into our vintage book room. Nothing has been damaged inside though."
The store has not had the best fortune in the last 12 months.
Amy said a few weeks ago someone went in to the shop's back room and stole her purse while similar happened to Scott's mother last year.
She added: "I don't know how much it will cost yet to replace the window, we are trying to sort it out now. We haven't had a break-in as such before but we have had a couple of purses stolen. We haven't had the best luck but we just try to carry on."
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "We were called around 1pm on Monday.
"It appears it was an attempted break-in. Forensics have been out to the shop because of the blood at the scene.
"Officers are set to go down tomorrow to take a full statement."
The bookshop is family owned. It stocks a large selection of books from every genre but in particular specialises in sci-fi, mystery, fantasy, occult and horror.
It also boasts rarities, signed books, comics and art.
Southcart opened in 2014. It had been started 12 months earlier when Mr Southey started selling books from his Palfrey home. West Midlands Police requested that anyone with information on the incident contact them on 101.
