A NUMBER of beach huts have been vandalised on Frinton seafront leaving owners and renters furious.

One beach hut renter feels “violated” after a spate of vandalism on 23 beach huts opposite Connaught Avenue.

Alan Sainty, 60, has had his beach hut, Archies Hut, for more than five years and was devastated to find it vandalised after returning from his camping holiday over the weekend.

arm over the weekend.

He spends a lot of time in his beach hut with his children and grandchildren and spent a full day trying to restore the damage on Monday.

He said: “I last saw the beach hut on Thursday, but the vandalism was done on Friday - it’s unbelievable.

“It was when we came down to have a look and we could see where they’ve tried to kick the doors in.

“I feel for other people and their beach huts - it’s just disrespectful and it’s just mindless vandalism.

Alan and his wife Lyn are also becoming increasingly concerned as they have had kitchen knives stolen from their property.

PCSO Paul Brassey confirmed that a report of 23 beach huts was lodged on Monday, August 7, with hut steps being damaged along with wooden doors.

He said: “This happened between 12.30am and 1.50am and five males were seen to be leaving Connaught avenue at about 1.30am. They were on bikes and had ruck sacks.

“This is mindless vandalism, and we urge members of the public to be vigilant in this area and report anything suspicious.

“We are keen to trace the five males leaving Connaught Avenue, as they may be able to help with the investigation.”

Mr Sainty says that about 23 beach huts have been damaged over the weekend with doors appear kicked in, windows smashed and a cushion has been set alight and thrown.

Patrols have increased in the area.

Mr Sainty works as a painter and decorator and maintains other beach huts in the area, so he was able to repair his hut quickly.

“It cost me £1,000 to put it right.

“We pay £600 a year in rates, but for it just to be vandalised. It’s just sad, people spend a lot of the money on these beach huts and to make them look neat and tidy.

“We feel like we’ve been violated.

“It’s got to stop, that’s why because people will take the law into their own hands.”

If anyone has any information about the vandalism on beach huts call Essex Police on 101 and quote incident EP20170807-0057.