HAIRDRESSERS have been left “shocked” after being targeted by burglars in the middle of the night.

Hair by Michal, in Upper North Street, Brighton, was broken into in the early hours of yesterday.

Owners and partners Amit Arora, 37, and Michal Zaczynski, 31, found a shattered glass door and a police note when they went to the shop to open for the day.

They were later told by someone living nearby that a heroic neighbour chased off a gang of four after the shop’s alarm went off.

Mr Arora, who has co-run the shop with his partner for nearly two years, said: “Why would someone do this to a person’s business?

“Our neighbour was going to work and he said there were four guys trying to break in.

“Two were standing on the other side of the road and the other two were trying to break the door.

“He shouted ‘we’re calling the police’ and then tried running after them.”

In July, police made five arrests in connection with break-ins in Hove.

This came after a number of businesses in the area reported being targeted.

At the time, Superintendent Ed De La Rue said police were working hard to tackle the thefts and were patrolling the area.

Mr Arora is worried the issue may have moved closer into Brighton.

He said an emergency glazing firm he asked to repair the shop front told him it was fully booked and this was mainly due to a number of similar incidents it was attending.

Mr Arora said: “I have lived here for 14 years.

“It’s just getting worse by the day.”

Police said they were alerted to an attempted break-at hairdressers at 3.17am yesterday.

Officers arrived minutes later and searched the area but did not find the raiders.

A spokesman said: “The glass in the front door had been smashed but there was no evidence that anyone had managed to get inside and nothing was stolen.

“​Enquiries are continuing and we are in contact with the owners during the day.

“They will be informed of any significant development.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 or report it online.