A Canvey cafe was burgled twice in one week.

Pick & Choose, in High Street, was targeted by criminals who smashed windows in two separate burglary attempts.

Owner Nicola Ostle believes switching the streetlights back on and an increased police presence in the town centre would help deter criminal activity.

In the first incident, a week ago, burglars smashed the front door and stole £35 in cash.

Intruders returned last Thursday night, smashing a window, but didn’t manage to get in.

She said: “I had the door mended after the first incident, but then I got here on Friday and they had smashed the door again.

“I can’t claim for the repairs on my insurance because the excess is too high, so I have had to pay £234 for an emergency glazier.

“I am now coming into work everymorning and my stomach is turning because I don’t know what I am going to see.

“There are just not enough police on this island and people think they can get away with things like this.”

In Wednesday's Echo, businessman Dave Rowe called on Essex County Council to switch street lights on overnight after his gym in Oak Road was burgled.

Mrs Ostle backed his call, adding: “I think what Mr Rowe said about the lights is absolutely right and the fact the lights are off does not help the situation.”

Rodney Bass, county councillor responsible for highways, said: “Since the roll-out began, there has been no evidence suggesting that part night lighting has had an adverse impact on crime.

“The council has been working closely with the emergency services and continues to respond to representations from them regarding any areas which they believe should be exempt from the scheme.”

Essex Police confirmed it was investigating the two incidents at Pick & Choose.

A spokesman said: “The burglary happened between 3pm on February 3 and 7.45am on February 4.

“The front door was forced open and a sum of cash was stolen from a till drawer.

“The second incident, where a glass in the front door was smashed, happened between 3pm on February 5 and 7.45am on February 6.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call officers at Rayleigh on 101.