POLICE are investigating a mini crimewave which has seen eight businesses targeted in a town centre in one week.

Officers are appealing for the public’s help following the raids in Harwich.

Insp Aaron Homatopoulos said: “We have received multiple reports of incidents where business windows and doors have been damaged and then burgled.

“The suspects are entering the properties before stealing items, including cash from charity collections and tills.

“We are working closely with our Business Crime Team as well as Harwich Town Council and Tendring District Council to formulate a strategy around how we can keep businesses safe and investigate all incidents of burglary.

"Our officers have also been visiting victims and carrying out CCTV enquiries in the area.

“The offences are taking place between midnight and 5am, so we are asking anyone in the area who has witnessed anything or may have any CCTV or dashcam footage in this time frame to contact us.”

The Harwich Ukraine Support Project was targeted twice in a week.

Tony Elliston, chair of the project, said about £100 was stolen in the Stour Road burglary on Friday. 

A £200 till was also taken.

Mr Elliston said: "I met the police on Sunday. They are working very hard to put a lid on this."

The charity's shop on the High Street was also broken into last Tuesday with about £30 being stolen from the till as well as an unknown amount from a collection box.

Mr Elliston said the police were on site "within five minutes" and had "probably heard the alarms".

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Burglary - The first break-in of the Harwich Ukraine Support Projects' High Street charity shopBurglary - The first break-in of the Harwich Ukraine Support Projects' High Street charity shop (Image: Submitted)

The charity shop was boarded up as forensic examination took place.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “The suspects damaged the front window before stealing two charity pots and the till.” 

"Enquiries remain ongoing and officers are currently investigating a series of business burglaries in Harwich."

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Damage - The Stour Road break-in affected the charity's community cafeDamage - The Stour Road break-in affected the charity's community cafe (Image: Submitted)

The Alma Inn, in King’s Head Street, was also broken into on May 20 with thieves taking about £300 of donations intended for the Homestart Harwich charity.

Regan Burdis, 20, of Talbot Street, has since been charged with one count of burglary in connection with that incident.