BEACH hut owners are urging the public to let them know if they see anything suspicious following a spate of break-ins.

So far this year, there have been 17 break-ins and eight attempted entries at huts in Thorpe Bay, up from eight for the whole of 2014.

Many of them appear to be carried out by homeless people in need of shelter.

But owners say those responsible are leaving a trail of devastation.

Steve Puxley, in charge of security on the Southend Beach Hut Owners’ Committee, is calling on joggers and walkers on the promenade to alert the committee by using a specially set up hotline.

Mr Puxley, 60, from Leigh, believes an upsurge in incidents at Easter coincided with the end of winter night shelters for homeless people run by Southend Christian Fellowship.

He said: “There was a big rise in break-ins at Easter after the closure of the night shelters on March 31.

“The churches had been looking after all the homeless in the area over the winter.

“Now they no longer have accommodation it seems they are breaking into the huts to use them for sleeping.

“Nothing was stolen, but where they used them to sleep in they left a huge amount of mess.

“They are eating and drinking in them. We found a syringe and another hut was used as a toilet.

The huts that are closer to Southend are being targeted.”

Mr Puxley added: “I met police last week and they are showing an interest and logging and recording incidents, but they are stretched.

“We can’t expect the police to patrol the huts.

“The huts that have been targeted are the ones are on the beach, rather than the promenade, so it is harder to see what’s going on, but we are asking the public who are out jogging or walking their dogs to call us if they see anything suspicious.

“I will then decide whether it is urgent and needs a call to the police.

“If it is just kids messing about, it might be a question of us going and shooing them off.”

Mark Churchward, church leader at Southend Christian Fellowship, said: “I think anybody who engages in homeless issues is aware of the activities of housing associations and the work the homeless charity Harp does, but, nevertheless, there is still a need for provision, which is hard to resolve.

“Finding the resources that can meet that need is not straight forward, but the need is evident.”

Anyone who wants to report any unusual activity near the huts is asked to call Mr Puxley on 07780 760877.