SHOPKEEPERS say they are living in fear amid an “epidemic” of break-ins.

Business owners in Brighton’s North Laine say there have been 16 burglaries and attempted smash and grabs in the last three weeks.

One shopkeeper described a “crime wave” like nothing she had seen before.

Liv Mulhern, owner of e-cigarette shop Vapertrails in Trafalgar Street, said: “There’s an atmosphere of dread, fear and insecurity.

“My shop is sandwiched between two that were targeted just days apart.

“I’ve had sleepless nights. A lot of people are afraid.”

Shopkeepers have set up an action group to log and discuss the crimes and believe they have identified suspects and patterns.

Liv said: “It’s often a man with a push bike accompanied by another man or a woman. They’re not that sophisticated.

“If it was sophisticated they’d be clearing the shop out. Instead they tend to smash windows and doors and go straight for the till. Sometimes they take iPads and electronics as well, but usually they make off with the cash drawer and dump it outside.”

Shop owners said businesses that have been broken into in the area since mid-September include The Dressing Room and Oshio restaurant in Trafalgar street, Tidy Street General Store and The Pond pub in Gloucester Road.

They said burglars have attempted to break into the Brighton Chilli Shop and The Laine Deli in Trafalgar street, the Brighton Sausage Company in Gloucester road, and pet shop Holler in Sydney Street.

Sussex Police’s Detective Chief Inspector Mike Ashcroft said: “We are working hard to reduce instances of burglary in the city and will continue to work to protect members of our communities from this crime.

“We treat burglary as a serious matter and our prevention teams are working closely with the community to reduce the opportunities for criminals.

“I urge residents to follow police advice and keep their property secure so that

they are not a target for burglars.

“We will be getting more officers and PCSOs [police community support officers] into Brighton and Hove as the newly recruited officers get through training and get on to the streets ensuring a more visible police presence across the city and providing a deterrent to burglars.

“We do need the public to help us and encourage anyone to report any suspicious behaviour or if you see a crime in action to contact us on 999 without delay.”