Moves to install closed-circuit television cameras along Clacton and Holland seafront may be stepped up after vandals targeted more than 20 beach huts.
Doors were smashed, huts ransacked and items thrown onto the beach during the raid at the weekend.
Roy Mizen, chairman of the Clacton and Holland Beach Hut Association, went down to Holland Haven to inspect the damage.
"It was unbelievable and totally soul destroying," he said. "It could only be described as mindless and wanton vandalism and I cannot understand why they do it."
Mr Mizen said that 22 huts had come under fire, many of which had been made as secure as they can be.
"Wire caging put around the outside had just been ripped off, doors kicked in and steel grills bent," he added. "It was a scene of devastation and now the owners are left to pick up the bill."
"We are now considering if we can have security cameras down there in an effort to deter people or catch those responsible."
The beach hut association contacts its members after such incidents and encourages them to report them to the police.
Chief Insp Colin Steele, of Clacton police, said the incidents at Holland-on-Sea had been reported, were taken very seiously, and would be investigated.
"It is very difficult where we have such a large number of isolated huts along the Tendring coast," he added.
Published Thursday November 14, 2002
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