An Indian restaurant owner believes masked men have been targeting takeaways across Medway.

Around £100 was stolen and a window was smashed by burglars at the Grange Tandoori in Grange Road, Gillingham.

Owner Shafique Uddin said it was not the first time his business had been targeted.

He said: “I have been burgled twice in the space of two months, once in January and then now. This brings cost and a lot of stress. It is very concerning.

“The week after the first burglary, a business next door had an attempted break-in but the owners were in so they were not successful.”

He said another takeaway in Chatham was also targeted recently.

Mr Uddin, who lives in Gillingham, said it was very worrying as some of the shop workers live in flats above the premises.

The raid on Mr Uddin’s premises took place on the night of Monday, March 27.

He said about £300 was taken from the Grange Tandoori in January. Thieves also stole a till and broke a window.

His son, Shakib said: “It’s not just us. It seems as though on the same night, six local business were broken into.

'Several shops are being targeting on one night so it does seem like organised crime' - Shafique Uddin

“My dad knows other restaurant and takeaway owners and they say that they have been burgled as well. It seems to be happening all over Medway.

“This is frightening especially for small business.”

Mr Uddin said: “These crimes are very threatening to our little businesses in Medway and in surrounding areas as they are happening a lot recently.

“Several shops are being targeting on one night so it does seem like organised crime.”

He said that although most businesses have CCTV it isn’t much help as the people responsible wear masks.

Mr Uddin added: “I advise stores to have security measures such as alarms or shop front shutters, leaving the till open and taking the change out of the shop.”

A police spokesman said inquiries into the burglary at Grange Tandoori were continuing. They were unable to confirm reports of a spate of break-ins.