Police are appealing for witnesses after a spate of burglaries hit Ashtead and left businessmen stunned last week.

Dry cleaners Nova Klean and Elio's barbers, both in The Street, were targeted between 5pm on Sunday January 24 and 8am last Monday.

Qaisar Mir, owner of Nova Klean, said: "We came in on Monday and the lock was broken. It looked like someone had drilled it.

"I was shocked and couldn't believe it but then when I got inside the shop, it was a complete mess because the burglars had thrown everything onto the floor.

"All my paperwork and files were everywhere and all the drawers were open. I am not sure what there were looking for but they certainly turned this place over."

The items stolen included two carpet cleaning machines, a laptop, two computers and monitors and a printer.

Cash and shampoo were also stolen from nearby Elio's after burglars broke into the shop by forcing the lock.

Owner Elio Dicarlo said: "They took about £30 out of the till and pinched some shampoo but it is just one of those things really.

"I found out I had been burgled on Monday when I went to open the front door and it was broken. It was quite a shock because I have been here 43 years and this is the first time anything like this has happened.

"I understand these things happen and I know it could have been worse if they had smashed the shop up, but they didn't."

Burglars also targeted two industrial units in Barnett Wood Lane last week.

Offenders broke into one unit by cutting through a fence between 8pm on Sunday January 24 and 6am the following day, and stole six heavy duty lorry batteries.

Last Monday (January 25) evening, just before midnight, a laptop was stolen after a break-in at another industrial unit.

Police are linking the burglaries in The Street and are also linking the Barnett Wood Lane thefts.

John Tadman, Mole Valley neighbourhood inspector, has urged anyone with information about these thefts to call 0845 125 2222.