Small business owners are appealing for help after multiple firms were broken into within just a few hours.

Nine companies on the Medway City Estate in Strood were targeted during the early hours of Wednesday, August 23, including LouLou’s Sandwich Bar and Box Six Tattoos, both in Box City in Culpeper Close.

Louise Coltham, 42, owner of LouLou’s Sandwich Bar, where a man was caught on CCTV, said: “We only opened on July 17. It’s literally been a month so it’s tough to have this happen so early on.

“I decided to open the business because I nearly lost my eldest son last year to meningitis – and I just thought life’s too short. I’ve just always wanted to work for myself.

“I’ve always struggled with anxiety and this situation triggers your anxiety too.

“He seemed to be here on the estate for hours and he hit so many businesses. He even hit mine twice.”

Video footage shows the man entering the store, rifling through cupboards, taking some items and leaving.

The first time he was picked up on the LouLou’s camera, at 1.41am, he stole cash from the till.

The second and third time, at around 2.30am, he stole a large kitchen knife and what Louise believes to be a drink from the counter and something from a toolbox under her sink.

The mum-of-two, who runs the shop with help from her family, said: “I kept the notifications for my security camera on silent overnight because the last thing I want is to keep getting woken up by it when nothing is happening.

“I don’t think he realised I had the security camera in there because he has a mask on the first time he enters but in the second and third clips, he has taken it off.

“We’re all small businesses here so we’ve been hit quite bad.”

Abi Cornell runs Box Six Tattoos and had an estimated £15,000 worth of tattoo equipment stolen the same night.

She said: “I feel like it’s my own fault in a way for leaving all my tattoo machines in one place but it’s my studio, that’s what we as tattoo artists do.

“They’re so small, they’re easy to put in your pocket and they’re not traceable because they don’t have serial numbers like some electronics do.

“They’re also worth a lot of money. Another tattooist I know had his equipment stolen a few weeks ago. That’s why I think they were taken when other businesses had their valuables like laptops left.

“The man who took them doesn't know the sentimental value of the items. One was my first ever tattoo machine I got 14 years ago. One was a tattoo machine from a friend and one from a famous tattoo artist. It’s just gutting.

“I found out about it that morning when I got a message from someone else at Box City to say I had been burgled. I got down there at 8am to find out all my machines had been taken.

“It was also traumatic to know someone had invaded my space and gone through my personal belongings. Because it feels so safe there and there’s so many other businesses you get in a bubble of safety and you don’t expect this to happen.

“My friends set up a GoFundMe to help me get a new machine and it’s blown me away how much support it has gotten. I’ve had quite a hard year, I’d been in rehab and getting back on my feet was hard.”

The fundraiser, which was set up last week, has already raised £2,000, which is enough for Abi to buy a tattoo machine and to get back to work.

“I needed to see how much support I’ve had, so in a way, there’s a blessing in all of this,” she added.

“My priority is to get this guy identified so this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police is investigating after a man is reported to have broken into nine separate businesses in Medway City Estate between midnight and 2am on Wednesday, August 23.

“The suspect is alleged to have stolen money along with various other items. Officers have made several enquiries, including reviewing CCTV, and are continuing their investigation.”