MULTIPLE beach huts have been damaged or broken into by yobs in Dovercourt.

The beach huts, near West End Lane, were vandalised over the past week during the early hours of the morning.

Harwich and Dovercourt Beach Hut Association said on its Facebook page: "We have had some huts damaged in the last couple of days we are not sure if it’s a rough sleeper or a thief."

The association has contacted all the owners of the damaged huts and the ones which had been broken into.

The post added: "Our late night patrollers have not seen anyone suspicious so we can only assume this is being done between 1am and 5am as our morning walker at 5.15am is finding it.

"Please can our late night dog walkers and fisherman friends help out if you see anything please don't hesitate to contact us.

"This person is going to the huts equipped to break in."

Anne Walker was one of the beach hut owners whose hut was broken into on January 2.

She said: "We had phone call from the Harwich and Dovercourt Beach Hut Association saying we had a break in.

"We went straight there which was a pain as we are an hour away.

"The doors had been forced leaving quite a lot of damage.

"We are going to have new doors.

"The only thing stolen was a Kilner container with a tap.

"Luckily nothing else taken and no damage inside."