STAFF at Bennett Brooks & Co fear for their safety after a car smashed through the front window of their office, destroying office furniture and equipment.

And now they are appealing to Cheshire County Council to put protective barriers in place to stop this happening again as they are concerned that somebody will be seriously injured.

The incident happened at the office in Riverside House, Winnington Street, Northwich, at 1.05am on Monday when a white Ford Escort smashed through the window.

Considerable damage was caused to the building and to the gas and water mains and United Utilities were called out.

According to the police, the driver was not at the scene and they are now working to establish the owner of the vehicle to assist them with their enquiries.

Sue Taylor, practice cashier at Bennett Brooks, said: "It is a lovely building. We moved from Knutsford about two years ago and we really like it here but now we just don't feel safe."

A similar incident happened in May last year when receptionist Vicci Hulse had a lucky escape after a van crashed through the front of the office and ploughed into her desk.

Sue said that this time they were very lucky because if it had happened during the day, somebody would have been hurt.

Not only do the staff feel unsafe but they believe that pedestrians walking along Winnington Street by the roundabout are also at risk.

Staff appealed to the county council after the crash in May to have either bollards or a barrier put up to protect them but they say nothing was done about it.

Sue said: "Here we go again - it took us a long time to get back to normal after the last time."

"As far as I'm concerned, they should do something. Does it have to take a fatality before they do?"

Sue said that they have been speaking to the council and they will be writing to them.

A spokesman for Cheshire County Council said: "An investigation was carried out following the earlier incident and there will also be an investigation to find out what remedy if any is relevant and practicable."

If anyone has any information about the incident they can contact Constable Paul Lynch at the Northwich police traffic office on 01606 48000.

jdriscoll@guardiangrp.co.uk