Beach hut owners are facing the cost of a series of break-ins along the seafront of a Suffolk tourist town.

Police are investigating at least a dozen reports of attempted burglary and criminal damage to huts on Southwold beach - although the number of cases could be as many as 24, according to unofficial reports.

The damage was discovered just before 3am yesterday by a police officer, who reported finding a number of beach huts broken into and items strewn across the car park north of Southwold pier. A fence was later found damaged near the scout hall in Mights Road.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said that the doors and windows of at least 12 beach huts were reportedly smashed during the night.

Southwold Beach Hut Owners Association chairman, Kenneth Waters said: “This is rather sad news. We believe that about 24 huts have been affected but no one has much idea whether anything was stolen. It just seems like mindless vandalism at this stage.

“It’s a pretty unusual thing to happen in Southwold. We haven’t seen any serious damage for a number of years.

“Hopefully everyone has been contacted but some people who only visit in the summer may be unaware of what has happened.”

Southwold’s colourful beach huts are among the most sought-after seafront properties in Britain. They have been known to go on the market for high asking prices, with those at the town’s Gun Hill site fetching up to £120,000. Many owners rent out their holiday huts when not using them. Last year seven new beach huts went on sale just north of the pier.

Southwold and Reydon chairman, Michael Rowan-Robinson: “It’s very shocking. People don’t keep much of value in these beach huts - perhaps board games and equipment for making tea.

“There is occasionally damage done to the beach huts but this is definitely a first.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with useful information to come forward. If you know anything, call Southwold and Halesworth safer neighbourhood team on 101.