A CITY centre restaurant and bar was ransacked during the early hours of the morning by hooded crooks who snatched hundreds of pounds worth of alcohol.
Church Street Tavern, which opened in Church Street, Colchester, back in February 2014, fell victim to the break-in shortly before 2am on Monday.
In CCTV footage published by the bar on social media, at least two people are seen searching the venue before appearing to fill bags with items.
The Gazette understands roughly £500 worth of spirits and wine was stolen during the raid before the thieves cowardly fled the scene.
Bosses at the Church Street Tavern have now vowed to bring those responsible to justice after posting the images online.
In a statement published on social media a spokesman for the business said: "We were broken into at 1.45am on Monday. [They] took around £500 of spirits and wine.
"Police have got multiple sets of their fingerprints and we have them extensively on our CCTV and our neighbour's. They will be found."
We were broken into at 1.45am Monday 8th August. Cam & his mate took around £500 of spirits & wine. Police have got multiple sets of their finger prints and we have them extensively on our CCTV and our neighbours. They’ll will be found. pic.twitter.com/NZzUjx4Mwo
— Church Street Tavern (@ChurchStTavern) August 8, 2022
Mark Goacher, Colchester councillor for the Castle ward, has blasted the burglars for targeting a city centre business following a difficult two years of trading.
He said: "What has happened is obviously disgusting and I just hope everyone looks at the footage and can help the police.
"I would hope and like to think that the crooks who did this will realise the impact this will have on a business still recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.
"But, unfortunately, given the sort of people they likely are, I doubt they will care, so it is case of the rest of us doing all we can to support and help catch them."
Essex Police have confirmed they are investigating the burglary.
A spokesman said: "We are aware of the incident and a policing plan is being put in place.
"We need anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area in the early hours of Monday to get in touch.
"Equally, we would like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the street in that same timeframe.
"Call us on 101 quoting incident 42/208348/22."
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