BUSINESSES on an industrial estate are calling for a crime crackdown following a spate of raids by persistent burglars.

Charfleets Car Centre, Canvey Carriage Company and Munchies Cafe, all based on the island’s Charfleets Industrial Estate, have suffered several break-ins over the past two months.

The car showroom, in Canvey Road, was targeted four times – once in January and three times in December.

Cash from a charity tin, a coffee machine and a camera were all stolen in the raids.

Each time entry was gained throughaglass door.

The manager of the car centre, who did not want to be named, believes the break-ins are being carried out by the same man.

He said: “With each break-in, it costs us £100 to put the doors right and it’s getting ridiculous now.

“From the CCTV, it seems to be the same guy on three of the four occasions.

“He looked like he was in his early twenties. Once he broke in, he had the run of the place briefly before the alarms went off.

“The strange thing is, he wasn’t interested in finding the car keys and was only hunting around for petty cash – which we don’t keep on the premises.

“We need to stop this as it’s more than likely the same person behind this.”

Canvey Carriage Company, in Mulberry Road, has fallen victim to burglaries three times.

Munchies Cafe, in Shannon Square, was broken into on Wednesday, December 30, after a thief smashed his way through a window.

Owner Guvenc Darcan said that a charity box, the staff tip jar, and drinks from a fridge were stolen.

He said: “It’s an inconvenience having to put this right, and repairing the window too.

“I think the main rule is to not leave valuables, and we obviously don’t.

“I am not sure why everybody here is being targeted.”

Anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area can contact police on 101.