A SPATE of break-ins have left Southend seafront businesses “extremely upset” and thousands of pounds out of pocket.

The crooks targeted both the Pearl Dragon restaurant, in Eastern Esplanade, and neighbouring business Retropolis Arcade, at around 5am on Saturday morning.

Owners of the arcade claim they suffered “extensive damage” as well as having hundreds of pounds taken during the burglary. 

They say a shovel and tools were used by the crooks to smash their way into the business. 

The owner of Retropolis Arcade, in Eastern Esplanade, told the Echo: “We are extremely upset and frustrated by this incident.

“We all work tirelessly to provide a relaxing, sociable environment for people from all over the country to come and play.

“In the early hours of Saturday morning, the perpetrator used a shovel and tools to break his way through fire exit doors at the back of the premises of our neighbouring business Pearl Dragon Chinese restaurant.

“They then forced his way into a storage unit, where we put our overflow of classic fruit machines. They then entered our Retropolis classic amusements.

“Once in the property they proceeded to crudely break into a number of fruit machines and cash doors removing taking in a very destructive manner causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

“They then started to proceed to remove start up floats from two tills.

“To enter an already-struggling premises to find rare machines broken into and damaged to this extent is quite simply soul destroying.The change machines have had new parts. Extra security has now been put in place, so with costings, stolen money, and repairs, we would estimate the value of around £2,000 to £2,500.”

Pearl Dragon Restaurant posted on social media saying they had also suffered “extensive damage, property stolen, and cash taken”.

A spokesman for Essex Police said that officers are are treating both incidents as linked.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference number 42/122044/23.