THIEVES who “grabbed all they could” raided two businesses within days of each other, sparking fears for firms’ safety.

Tea Beside The Sea, in the High Street, Shoebury, and Hair By Stylecut, in Ness Road, Shoebury, were both hit within a few days of each other.

Echo:

Damage - Tea Beside the Sea was targeted by thieves

Vinny Cavanagh and his wife Sarah have owned Tea Beside The Sea for two and a half years, and dreaded to think what they would see after being informed by a neighbour their door had been smashed.

Mr Cavanagh said: “At some point between 5pm on Tuesday and 7.45am on Wednesday, they’d kicked the door in so hard that a part of it actually split off. They’d ripped the till out and took it. The laptop with our CCTV on was gone, hundreds in cash gone, they just grabbed all they could.

“It’s been so hard for us all. My wife has been devastated. You put your heart and soul into building something up, for someone to try and take that away.

“During the night, the baker, who is four shops down, heard a big crash, thinking it was a car being broken into.

“About six months ago other shops along the road were targeted and there was a spate of burglaries then, but we’ve never seen had anything like this.

“We’ve had to put a temporary door on and now we feel nervous to leave the cafe in case they try and do it again.”

Paul Halley, manager of Hair By Stylecut, returned to his store to find a TV, money, laptops, and electrical hairdressing equipment such as tongs and clippers had been stolen.

He said: “They’d jammed in through the backdoor between 4pm on May 4 and 1.40pm on May 5. This will cost me about £1,400 to replace. It’s just so frustrating and inconvenient and we’re still finding stuff missing.

“The cafe was robbed too and we’re only three quarters of a mile away from each other, which seems a strange coincidence.”

Police are investigating both incidents and want anyone with information to call them on 101 quoting reference number 42/70247/19 for Hair By Stylecut, and 42/71557/19 for the cafe.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.