THREE sledgehammer wielding men targeted a Karate club in an attempted late night raid.

Although they left empty handed, the men used the weapon to force their way into Phoenix Karate Dojo, on Northwick Road, in Canvey.

Both the side entrance and front entrance were damaged, leaving the group facing a hefty bill for replacements.

The three men spent spent less than a minute in the Dojo, conducting a very quick search, but were spooked after spotting a CCTV camera.

And with the incident representing the second break-in in as many months, the club are now considering installing an alarm system, which will come at a cost.

Just last month, a man forced entry through the side door, which the club had to replace, and stole microphones and other equipment from a group hiring the hall.

CCTV shows the three men, all with their faces covered by balaclavas or scarves, break through the front door with the sledgehammer, before beginning their search.

The break-in happened at about 11pm on Tuesday night.

Hayley Marney, 35, an instructor at the club, said: “They have caused a lot of damage to the front and side doors, so we need to pay to have them replaced now.

“They haven’t stolen anything, not that there was anything to steal inside the Dojo.

“They were in and out within 30 seconds, all they did was rummage through a couple of draws.

“I don’t know if they were spooked by the camera, or just wanted to cause damage and see if they could break in, but it makes no sense.

“It is so frustrating.”

He added: “We run the club purely for the kids. We don’t make any money. It all goes back into the club, for bills, for equipment, and to pay for some of the kids to compete in competitions.

“They have gained nothing from this and we now need to spend extra money we don’t have.

“Now it has happened twice, we are going to have to consider installing an alarm system, but again that costs money and it is not fair to ask the parents to pay more.

“We really are devastated, teenagers have been given such a bad name recently, but we are a facility providing something for young people and now we have been targeted.”

The Dojo is now hoping the community can come together to support them in their bid for repairs and to upgrade the security system.

Anyone wishing to help can contact info@phoenixkarateclub.co.uk.

Essex Police attended the break in on Tuesday night.

Contact police on 101 or through Essex Police’s website, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.