A PUB landlady is warning other businesses to beware after revealing three pubs were targeted by thieves within three days of each other.

Michelle Gargate is in charge at the Spread Eagle Pub in Victoria Avenue, Southend and was shocked to wake up and find her pub had been ransacked on Monday night.

It comes after the Plough, in London Road, and the Blue Boar, in Victoria Avenue, were also hit at the weekend.

Michelle recalled: “We came downstairs in the morning ready to do the cleaning and found that someone had broken in and the window had been smashed.

“The guy who did it is clearly a pro because he put the window in that is literally about 10ft from the window of my bedroom and we didn’t hear a thing. He has taken the till drawers containing about £500 of cash and a bottle of Baileys which was found discarded in at a church.”

Michelle shared the news of the break-in with other pubs in the area and it was then she found out they had also been targeted.

She said: “I know the Plough and Blue Boar were broken into at weekend.

“The Snooker Club down the road from us was also targeted. You can clearly see on the CCTV that it is the same guy because he has a very distinctive blue coat and hair cut. We went around to pubs locally to let them know and the Boar are sure it’s the same person as well.

“We just want to make sure other businesses are aware and make sure to take extra precaution.”

A police spokesman said: “We are investigating. The suspect at the Spread Eagle pub broke a window to gain entry and stole the tills.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Alex Farr straight away at Southend police station on 101 - or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.