An Essex business has taken the law into its own hands after being targeted by burglars for the third time in two years.

East Anglian Daily Times: CCTV footage of two men wanted in connection for a burglary at a Mistley pubCCTV footage of two men wanted in connection for a burglary at a Mistley pub (Image: Archant)

A Facebook bid to catch the cuplrits, which included clear CCTV images of two men involved, has been shared more than 1,000 times after it was posted by staff at The Mistley Thorn hotel.

The hotel, on High Street, was broken into at around 5.30am on Sunday, and burglars stole a substantial amount of staff tips and the cash float.

Sherri Singleton, hotel owner, said she had been alerted to the incident when the breakfast manager found the cash drawer from the till and some change discarded by the back door to the premises.

The office door had also been broken.

Ms Singleton said: “It’s upsetting because we work really hard and our staff work really hard. That’s why I decided to take matter into my own hands and put it on social media.

“The outpouring of support has been fabulous.

“We know exactly what time they were here and we know they left at 5.36am. Our CCTV screens weren’t on so they obviously didn’t know they were being filmed the whole time they were in here.

“We got some very good moving and still images.”

She said she was disappointed with the action of Essex Police in responding to the incident, and discussions were underway with other local business owners to form a group to see how they could tackle crime in the area.

Ms Singleton added: “This has happened twice before and we haven’t had any action. In Manningtree the police presence has gone to zero.

“I thought, ‘I’m going to take matters into my own hands’.”

“I have three local businesses. We have had to spend a lot more money on security.

Essex police officers did take fingerprints from the scene.

While waiting for police to respond, Ms Singleton posted photographs of the suspects onto both the hotel’s and her personal Facebook pages.

“It’s reaching far and wide,” she said.

Essex Police said it was investigating the break-in, and added that Ms Singleton could raise her concerns about the police response with the force’s professional standards department.