A BUSINESS has been left with a £2,000 bill after being targeted in a late night burglary.

A1 Braintree, on Rayne Road, was broken into at around 4am on Monday.

The thief used a brick to smash the window at the front of the shop, before making off with two Claud Butler bikes worth more than £600 combined.

The suspect moved one bike from the shop further down Rayne Road before coming back to get the second.

Tom Hutley, who works in the store, said: “The alarm was going off the whole time, he took one bike up to B&M and then came back and grabbed the second one.”

The clean-up bill to replace the window pane that was smashed is expected to be over £1,000.

The shop sells bicycles as well as car parts, model kits, air rifles and sporting equipment.

A1 Braintree posted CCTV images of the incident on Facebook asking for information.

Michael Catchpole, one of the business partners, said: “Our Facebook post has been seen by 43,000 people.

“We have been here since the Sixties and to know that we have the support of such huge customer base really means a lot.

“We have been a little bit blown away by all the people trying to help us.”

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed it was investigating the burglary which happened at 4am on Monday.

He said: “Officers attended a business premises on Rayne Road and found someone had gained entry to the building by smashing a window with a brick.”

Anyone with any information should contact Pc Jack Mabbett at Braintree Police Station on 101.

People can also give information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.