THE owners of an independent business have been left devastated after thieves smashed their windows and stole their till during a raid.

Billericay Bagel Co, opposite Billericay Station in Radford Way, was forced to remain closed yesterday morning after the shocking break-in in the early hours of the morning.

The break-in is devastating for business owner, Ken Mullett, who runs the store by himself and serves dozens of busy commuters on their way to the station every day.

Crooks smashed the window of the shop yesterday before rummaging through the business and stealing their till and the cash inside.

Ken said: “What happened is someone smashed in through out side window.

“I have no idea how they fit through such a small window, and they helped themselves to what was in there, they took float money that was left in the till.

“There is also the cost of them breaking in, I have a bit of CCTV footage and I am hopeful that with the bigger cameras we will have lots of evidence but I am shut, I have no business now.

“For a small business this is devastating.

“I have no back up like larger companies, I am a one-man band and it will do me no favours at all.”

The business is an independent store and prides itself on selling authentic east-end of London style bagels.

Ken admitted he is unsure how much the damage will cost, but it could prove pricey to carry out the repairs urgently.

“I’m not a hundred per cent sure how much has been taken, they cleared the float money but we don’t leave much in there and they smashed our windows,” he said.

“What a place to do it as well, as if the station doesn’t have enough security cameras.

“It happened a bit after 1am and the cabbies park alongside me, they are there to the last train, the whole thing is ridiculous.

The incident has been reported to police.

Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101 to make a report.