A HAIRDRESSER told how both of his businesses were ransacked in one night as part of a ten-day burglary spree.

James Timotheou, 30, owns Timotheou’s barbers and a neighbouring hairdressers in Woodgrange Drive, Southend. They were both targeted on Monday night.

Police are investigating at least a dozen business break-ins which have taken place in just over a week.

A 24-year-old man was arrested after a short police chase, which ended in Walton Drive, near the seafront. He was in custody being questioned by officers at the time the Echo went to print.

Mr Timotheou said although the value of the items stolen was relatively low, the break-ins have been a “massive inconvenience”.

He said: “They have kicked the door in at the hairdresser’s and nicked some cash and various products. Apparently they went over to the card shop and broke in but didn’t steal anything.

“Someone heard them and shouted at them and they went back to their van. But they just got some torches out and came back to break into the barbers.

“There have been quite a few incidents lately. As a business owner it’s a massive inconvenience and not something you expect to happen.”

Police were called and pursued two men who were driving a van.

The chase ended a few minutes later near the seafront and one of the men was chased into Walton Drive. The other man made off from officers.

Insp Bill Potter, of Southend police, said officers have been stepping up patrols in the main areas hit by the burglary spree- which has seen 53 non-dwellings targeted this month.

The break-ins include a burglary at Fairfax Car Port, in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff,on March 14.

The Echo told last week how four cars were stolen from the dealership- three of which were later found damaged after being involved in crashes.

Mr Potter said: “We have somebody helping us with our enquiries so hopefully this provides reassurance to the commercial world that we do know we have been hit and we have taking positive action.

“A lot of the incidents have taken place in London Road, Sutton Road and Woodgrange Drive- main thoroughfare type of roads.

“The types of business being hit are garages, tattoo parlours and hairdressers.”

Mr Potter said business should consider installing CCTV, check locks are secure, remove money from tills and make sure alarms are working.