A FAMILY-RUN business has been left to pick up the pieces after being raided by crooks.

NCF Architectural Ironmongery and Fixings, which is based on the Broton Industrial Estate in Halstead, was targeted by raiders just after 10pm on Monday.

The business was also targeted last week when one of its vans was broken into.

Lee Bacon, 44, who owns the company, said: “We had some vans broken into last week and so did several others on the estate and over the area, and then last night my alarms went off and they broke into the premises.”

After being alerted to the break-in, Mr Bacon found the entrance doors and internal doors had been broken.

The shop remained closed on Tuesday but Mr Bacon said he hoped to be able to reopen the next day.

“It’s a day’s trading that is lost and we have to try and pick the pieces,” he said.

“I’m just disappointed. It just is an epidemic for everyone and I’d like some answers at the end of the day.

“The police do everything they can.

“If it was a medical thing there would be things put into place to stop the epidemic but there doesn’t seem to be the resources.

“That’s not a dig at frontline police. They do everything they can and are probably more frustrated than I am because they’re dealing with it first hand.”

Mr Bacon says it is the first time his business has been targeted.

He said: “It’s not frightening, it’s just frustrating.

“I’m angry because I can’t do anything about it. I’m not angry because of the incident, but I’m frustrated that I can’t do anything and I want to do something about it.”

Mr Bacon said the CCTV at the shop showed three people entering the building with their faces covered, before leaving in two cars.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called at around 10pm with reports of a burglary at NCF Architectural Ironmongery and Fixings, in Broton Drive, Halstead.

“We received information that suspects broke a window at the business and took a number of tools.”

“Anyone with information is urged to call Braintree police station on 101 quoting incident 42/83186/19.