The owners of a town centre restaurant have been left reeling after the business was broken into for the second time in about a month.

Raiders smashed in the doors of Frydays in Richmond Street, Herne Bay and stole tills and a newly-purchased laptop in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The firm was still recovering from a burglary a month before, when about £1,700 was stolen.

Manager Paula Taylor says £80 was in each of the tills when they were snatched earlier this week.

“Also, there’s all the damage to both of the doors,” she said.

“We can’t even lock one of them and we’ve had to put chairs against it, while the other is smashed in. It’s disgusting.”

After reviewing the restaurant’s CCTV footage, Ms Taylor says two masked men broke into the shop at 1.35am and drove away four minutes later.

They were both wearing tracksuits and had “stockings” covering their faces.

“When I watched it, I felt sick,” she said. “There were two people – one was outside checking the street, while the other one ran inside.

“Because the one outside was standing under a streetlight I could see his face through the stocking.”

The decision was taken to keep Frydays closed on Tuesday, as it was thought customers would be discouraged from entering by the damage.

“It’s affected trade,” said Ms Taylor. “I only took £2 for two cups of tea on Wednesday – normally I take about £80 to £100 each day.

“We’re an independent company. We don’t have loads of money and our insurance is probably going to go sky-high.

“We’re not a big chain like a Costa; it’s a dent in our pocket when we get affected by this. These people don’t think of things like this – they’re horrible.”

Frydays is owned by husband and wife Peter and Kim Rai.

Ms Taylor, who lives in Beltinge, says the pair is “in pieces” and worried following the break-ins.

She has called for more police on the streets of Herne Bay to deter would-be criminals.

“There aren’t enough officers and when people see PCSOs it doesn’t do anything because people know they haven’t got proper power,” she said.

“It’s bad because when things like this happen it doesn’t make you feel safe.”

Following a smashing spree in William Street at the end of August, Nigel Hancock, the chairman of the Herne Bay Coastal Community Team, called for more officers in the Bay.

He argued a lack of uniformed police patrolling the streets has allowed antisocial behaviour to flourish in the town.

Inspector Lee Thompson said: "We understand the detrimental impact that burglary can have on people’s lives and the frustration for local businesses like this one to have lost out financially.

"Since last year there has actually been an increase in the number of PCSOs covering Herne Bay and Whitstable on a daily basis.

"Their visibility in the coastal towns combined with their work with local partner agencies shouldn’t be underestimated as they are dedicated to neighbourhood policing and are fully supported by officers from the Local Policing Team.

"We are committed to providing a visible presence for all communities and would continue to encourage residents and businesses to report crime as and when it happens so we have a clear picture of the areas most affected."

Anyone with information about Tuesday's break-in is urged to call officers on 01843 222289, quoting the reference number ZY/061696/18.