A SHOP owner has resorted to sleeping on the businesses floor in an attempt to deter thieves.

Saneer Patel, 59, owns ZB News, on Rayleigh Road, Eastwood for the last 30 years, but is considering giving it in after he fell victim to a break ins three times in the last 15 months, most recently in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Thieves smashed through his shop window, ransacking the newsagents and stealing roughly 35 bottles of spirits.

And Mr Patel captured the whole incident on CCTV, and insists he is certain he knows who one of the men is, but claims police have taken no action, not even collecting the CCTV from the shop or sending out a forensic team - although Essex Police insist every possible enquriy will be conducted. 

He said: “I am sleeping on my shop floor now, because it is the only way I can protect the shop. I tried to sleep at home, but woke up at 2am worried about the shop and just ended up going back.

“I am not the only business owner this is happening too, we have constant break ins around here, I would say there has been at least seven in the last month.”

Mr Patel has owned the shop for 30 years, and had no problem until his first break-in in November, which was followed by a second incident in March last year.

He added: “I am considering giving it all in. It is not worth it anymore.

“At the moment, I have not replaced the spirits they stole, because it will happen again. It is really sad, this shop has been a newsagents for 90 odd years, and people in this area do rely on us, but I can’t sell it as a newsagent, no-one is interested, so do I just give up and pack it all in? I am genuinely considering it now.”

In the latest incident, Mr Patel caught the thieves in the act.

He said: “I get the alarm through to my phone, as I arrived one was still standingin the shop. I know who he is, I have seen him walking around since, and told the police, but nothing has happened.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are making enquiries into the burglary of a store in Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea.

"Unknown suspects are believed to have smashed the shop’s window, and items including alcohol were then removed.

"This happened at around 2.30am on Saturday, March 31.

"We are aware that CCTV of the incident is now available and this will be collected and reviewed by the investigating officer.

"Every possible enquiry will be conducted to establish who was responsible for the burglary.

"We will continue to keep the victim up to speed.  

"Anyone with information which could aid enquiries is asked to contact Southend LPT on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."