Burglars stole from shop tills and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage during a wrecking spree in Canvey High Street.

Two men were caught on CCTV footage breaking into Funky Buddha House of Hair by throwing a huge white rock through the glass door and then climbing through.

On the same night, thieves also raided neighbouring business Yummy House Chinese takeaway as well as Kai’s Kitchen and Chutney Tandoori, all based in the High Street.

During the raid on the hairdressers, the men were heard rattling the handle of the rear door by a man living above the business at about 1.20am.

Undeterred, they moved to the front of the shop, smashed the door and grabbed the till containing a £50 float.

Parts of the till were later found dumped in a nearby garden.

Andrea Sanders, who owns the store with business partner Becky Wilson, said: “It’s terrible. It’s not nice at all that this has happened.

“It’s not so much the £50 float that was lost, it’s the inconvenience of it all.

“We lost a day’s takings and the window will cost us £1,000 to replace. We only bought the till a week earlier, it’s very frustrating.

“From now on, we will be getting CCTV installed and everyone here will be taking their equipment home every night.

“It’s just shaken us all up a bit. I just want them caught.”

Last week, burglars raided at least four businesses in London Road and Kiln Road in Benfleet, stealing money from the tills and charity boxes.

It is thought that the same people could be responsible.

Sgt Mark McQuade, based at Canvey police station, said: “We have had a spate of these recently and they just seem to be looking for floats and loose change.

“In one case, there were bottles of wine taken but generally we are seeing cash taken.

“I would urge businesses to keep their floats away and take them home. We have even been giving signs out for businesses to put up saying they don’t leave money on the premises, but some of them haven’t been putting them up.

“It’s really difficult for us to manage this when they are not helping themselves.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating after three premises in Canvey High Street were broken into overnight on October 9.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.