THIEVES and vandals who set out on a destructive rampage in Flint have left shop owners questioning the value of the town's CCTV system.

Urgent calls have been made for the system to be re-assessed as shops and businesses pick up the pieces after a series of attacks which were not captured on film.

Over £6,000 worth of goods were seized from Complexion Beauty Salon, as thieves broke into the premises on Church Street -­ directly opposite one of the cameras.

Receptionist Sharon Edwards told how the shelves were emptied of a wide range of high value products. The glass door was put through with a brick and the lock undone.

Royal Mail reported the break-in to the police in the early hours of Friday morning who then boarded up the door until staff arrived.

Owner Julie Hingeley, who set up the salon two years ago, said windows have been smashed on two other occasions and she is annoyed at the camera's failure.

'Obviously I'm very, very angry,' she said. 'For the rates we pay here, especially since the CCTV cameras were installed, you expect them to pick up incidents.'

DJ Barbers, in Church Street was also a victim of last week's crime spree, and owner Hayley Jones believes the incident would not have happened if the CCTV system was working properly. Luckily all that was taken was a small amount of petty cash.

The thieves attempted to smash their way into the front of the property, but then decided to try their luck cracking the toughened glass at the back of the building, bursting their way in through the shattered glass on Tuesday evening.

A Church Street businessman, who does not wish to be named for fear of repercussions, was another victim and is having to pick up the bill for a window smashed last Friday.

Wynne Williams butchers, also in Church Street, was left with a £600 bill when two of his shop windows were shattered by vandals.

Owner Richard Wynne Williams said it has happened on numerous occasions and he called for improved security measures.

Elaine Williams, owner of Dee Yarns fears for her own business, and has supported the view of neighbouring traders.

Elaine said insurance will soon be a problem for shopkeepers in Flint, due to the constant threat from thieves and vandals.

'The next thing we'll have to do is put shutters over the windows and the town centre will look like a war zone,' she added.

The owner of the shop, which sells wool and babies clothes, said she is troubled by youths hanging about. She said: 'We have a lot of mums with babies and older people coming in to the shop for wool, and they are intimidated by youngsters spouting foul language.'

Leader of Flintshire County Council Alex Aldridge and Director of Transport and Planning Chris Kay will inspect the cameras at an urgent site meeting early next week to assess whether adjustments are required.

Cllr Aldridge said he had 'immense sympathy' with the shopkeepers suffering at the hands of 'thugs and hooligans'.

'We should make no excuses for wanton vandals and the police need to be called in to take firmer action,' he said.