CONNIVING thieves have stolen thousands of pounds worth of items, as well as CCTV monitors, from a Dovercourt shop.

Thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes, scratch cards, and hundreds of pounds in cash were stolen during a raid at Foleys, in Gravel Hill Way.

The CCTV monitors and a storage box were also taken.

The break-in is thought to have happened between 9.30pm on Monday and 5.05am on Tuesday.

Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Jo Henderson, Harwich Town councillor for All Saints Ward, said the incident has sparked concern over the rise in crime in the area.

She said: “It wasn’t only the shop which got burgled- as far as I’m concerned other residential homes in the area were affected as well.

“I feel it’s very, very concerning.

“I feel this is happening very often and the police should step in very quickly.

“We do have the lights off, which makes thieves’ jobs easier.”

Mrs Henderson said she feels some residents have lost their hope in the police force, but need to understand the importance of reporting every small incident.

She added: “Both we and the police need to be aware there has been a rise in crime.

“Residents, however small, need to report it and they need to go to the police to get a crime reference number.

“It is very important to make sure it shows in the statistics.

“People work hard in businesses and it’s a real struggle for them.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious or has CCTV available to view.

“If you have any information please call Harwich’s Local Policing Team on 101, or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 completely anonymously, quoting crime reference number 42/148738/19.”

Foleys declined to comment after being contacted by the Standard.