A BOLD crook breezed into a hair salon and escaped with a £500 haul of cash, phones, car keys - including a stylist's passport.

The thief sneaked into the staff room of Jigsaw Hair Studio in Main Road, Rayleigh and swiped three handbags.

Sometime over a 30-minute period the crook grabbed the bags, which contained purses and phones, after walking in through an open back door.

Mandy Ellis, salon co-ordinator, did not have her bag taken, but spoke for her workmates.

She said: "The fact someone had the cheek to do it is disgusting.

"Even though the door was left open, you don't expect someone to waltz in.

"It's not just what he has stolen, it's the other stuff involved."

As well as the passport, Ms Ellis explained another hairdresser had been forced to pay £125 to replace her car key.

She added: "It's so frustrating. As hairdressers, we don't earn a lot and they have had to pay to have house locks changed and stuff like that."

The thief, dressed in jeans, a white t-shirt and sporting short, dark hair, was caught on CCTV.

Police are looking at the footage of the theft, which happened between 12pm and 12.30pm on Monday, Alan Jones, police spokesman, issued strong words of advice to businesses and householders.

He said: "However warm the weather, keep windows and doors locked. It only takes a burglar a minute to creep in, especially when they are after cash and small items they can get away with."

Anyone with any information about the incident should call Rayleigh police station, on 01268 775533.