A GANG of teenagers are reported to have embarked on a rampage which saw them break into several businesses during the early hours of the morning.

In CCTV footage shown to the Gazette, three hooded and face-covered figures are seen attempting to gain access to a large, locked gate in London Road, Marks Tey.

The route leads to the rear entrances of a promenade of shops, including the Premier Post Office & Store, which has been managed by Natasha Barningham, 30, for five years.

According to Natasha, the group did not manage to get past the gate, but did break into the nearby Jhaal Indian restaurant before making off with alcohol and a cash register, which was later found dumped.

Gazette:

She said: “At the restaurant they tried kicking the doors down and there are footprints on the windows.

“But they did not get through or over the gate next to the shop, but it looks like they were trying to suss it out, so we are wary that they might come back with tools.

“I would not say what they did was thought-out and they do not seem very intelligent, but I just think it is foolish and this will catch-up with them.”

The two businesses, which were targeted at about 3.30am on January 22, are owned by Mashukur Rahman.

Mr Rahman says homes and cars on a nearby estate were also broken into on the same night.

“They are all teenagers and they are all still on the loose, and we even think they have been back since, trying to buy booze,” he warned.

“I think what has happened is utterly disgusting and when it happened it left my staff worried, so I had to go and rescue them.

“They realised what had gone on the morning after when they arrived for work and noticed the doors had been broken.

“My staff do not get paid to be abused or frightened – I just pay their wages.”

After being made aware of the incident, the police were immediately informed the police, but Mr Rahman has so far been left underwhelmed with the response.

He added: “Officers are trying to help me now but I did have to lose my rag with them a little bit first - they tell me that they are on the case but still nothing has happened.”

A spokesman for Essex Police has added: “The case has now been allocated to an officer from Colchester’s Local Policing Team who will be in contact with the victim to update them on how our enquiries are progressing.”