TRADERS have been urged to be vigilant after bungling burglars raided a string of businesses.

Thugs smashed open the front door of Grouts the Bakers, in London Road, Benfleet, overnight on Wednesday and tried to pry open the till.

As no cash was left on the premises the raiders fled empty-handed.

On the same evening, the same gang are believed to have tried to break into the III Six 3 off licence, in Rayleigh Road, Benfleet.

They smashed a window, damaged wire mesh and tampered with a back door but did not manage to get inside.

Issie Winfield, manager of the Hart Road, Thundersley, branch of Grouts, urged traders to follow the company’s policy to not leave cash on site overnight.

She said: “We don’t keep any money in our tills overnight and we leave the till trays out so if anyone comes in then they can see that there is nothing there.

“I think it’s important to not leave money in shops and not give burglars a reason to come inside.

“I’ve also had a warning come through today that there was an attempted break-in at the store in Rectory Grove, Leigh.

“They seem to just be targeting anywhere.”

PC Ian Risden, neighbourhood constable for Castle Point and Rochford, said: “There were two commercial burglaries overnight between Wednesday, July 6, to Thursday, July 7. in the Castle Point district.

“Suspects gained entry to Grouts the Bakers, in London Road, Benfleet, via the back door by breaking the locks.

“They also caused damage to the till.

“On the same evening, an attempted entry was made to the back door of III Six 3 Wines, Beers and Spirits.”

So far, no arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information about the spate of break-ins can call Essex Police on 101.