AN investigation has been launched by police after a historic city centre bag shop was raided of its expensive stock in the dead of night.

Essex Police are looking into a burglary which took place at Sands & Sons, in Bank Passage, Colchester, shortly after 1am on October 30.

The crook is understood to have smashed their way into the shop, established in 1872, by kicking in the front door, leaving piles of shattered glass in his wake.

In CCTV footage sent exclusively to the Gazette, a man is then seen casually leaving the scene a short while late holding several bags.

READ MORE: Shop raided for a third time as 'professional' crook snatches expensive handbags

Shop manager Qais Paiman, 37, has said this is the third time this year his shop has been burgled.

He also says the cost of the burglary has been more than £7,000, due to the repairs he has had to carry out and the value of the stolen items.

A spokesman for the police said: “We are investigating a burglary at a business in Bank Passage.

“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday between 10am-9pm.

“Alternatively you can call us on 101. Please quote the crime reference number 42/267681/22.”