BURGLARS broke into Dish on Dunmow s High Street and stole £2000 and 24 bottles of champagne. The burglary happened at the restaurant in the early hours of Friday morning. Entry was gained through a side window, which leads to an alleyway linking the Hig

BURGLARS broke into Dish on Dunmow's High Street and stole £2000 and 24 bottles of champagne.

The burglary happened at the restaurant in the early hours of Friday morning.

Entry was gained through a side window, which leads to an alleyway linking the High Street to White Street.

Head chef Spencer Hewitt said: "We came in on Friday morning and realised we had been burgled after finding the till empty. We don't usually keep that sort of cash on the premises, it was very unlucky."

The staff left the restaurant at 12.30am on Friday morning and returned the next day to find the loss of hard-earned takings.

Mr Hewitt said: "We had builders in at 6am Friday morning so it must have happened in the night, it took us a while to realise what had been done, they did a tidy job."

Builders' tools left overnight were also taken by the thieves who exited the building through the back door.

Mr Hewitt told The Broadcast that he thought the robbers may have used a van because of the number of champagne bottles and tools stolen.

"They stole the keys to the place as well, and used them to get the door at the back open," he said.

The restaurant owners have now had to change the locks on all the window and doors to prevent any further break-ins.

The area around White Street is becoming an area of concern for various business owners.

Blue Chip Company office manager Alison Legerton said that the company's premises on Mill Lane, just off White Street, has had its windows smashed on numerous occasions this year, although as yet nothing has been reported stolen.

Mr Hewitt said: "The area around the alleyway has been getting worse. Youths are often found hanging around the back of the restaurant. We have even had vegetables and ingredients stolen before.

"CCTV or something should be introduced, something needs to be done."

Even plaster doesn't seem to escape the thieves' attention as some was stolen some weeks back says Mr Hewitt: "Builders left some plaster there and when they returned three hours later it was gone."

As Dish cleared up from the robbery police were called in and fingerprints were taken. Dish will now be upping its security in response to the crime.

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By Nick Thompson

nick.thompson@archant.co.uk