Vandals smashed the windows of two Canvey stores over the festive season.
Early yesterday the front glass window of Pal the Chemists, in Furtherwick Road, was smashed, causing £100 damage.
The chemist's alarm was activated, but by the time officers arrived the culprits had fled.
And on Boxing Day, BB Grout the Bakers, also in Furtherwick Road, had its window broken and it will cost the firm £500 to fix.
A police spokesman said: "These were two instances of vandals causing criminal damage."
Roshan Lal, a partner in Pal, said: "It is just another piece of mindless vandalism.
"It is a problem, especially on Canvey. There is a phone box down the road and that is always getting smashed up.
"We have told police again and again there is a problem with vandals on Canvey but they are under resourced and there doesn't seem to be much they can do."
Published Friday December 28, 2001
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