THIEVES who broke into a Musselburgh restaurant and tried to steal a charity tin have been captured on CCTV.

Footage shared with the Courier shows three intruders entering The Auld Hoose Chinese Restaurant on Musselburgh's New Street at 2.38am on September 27, breaking through the window and also stealing alcohol.

The owner of the restaurant, Ramesh Shrestha, turned to social media for help, as he estimated that between £4,000 and £5,000 of damage was caused during the incident. 

READ MORE: Series of break-ins could be linked, police believe

The video shows the culprits smashing the window with a large object, entering the restaurant and taking alcohol.

On their exit, a person can be heard shouting "take the charity tin" and, after many failed attempts, they leave without it. 

Mr Shrestha, who has owned the restaurant for two years, told the Courier: "This is just so bad for me and can only imagine it is for other great venues in the town. 

"I turned to social media for help and I have already been fairly successful. 

"They smashed my window and till, took money, beer, wine, setting me back between £4,000 and £5,000, and to see the charity tin attempted to be stolen is just awful." 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 9am on Friday, September 27, we were made aware of a break-in and theft at a premises on New Street in Musselburgh, which happened overnight.

“Enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0663 of Friday, September 27.

"Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Earlier this week, the Courier reported that police believed a series of break-ins in Musselburgh and Prestonpans could be linked.

READ MORE: Vandalism at Musselburgh Racecourse has cost £30,000 to fix

Between September 7 and 27, a number of retail and business premises were broken into in the two towns, resulting in damage being caused and items being stolen.  

Investigations remain ongoing and police are now appealing for witnesses.

Community Policing Sergeant Dougie Wardell said: “We’ve carried out extensive CCTV enquiries into a number of reported break-ins and are considering whether these may be linked.

“I’d ask for the public’s help in identifying those responsible. Have you seen anyone or vehicles acting suspiciously around premises in the area? Do you have private CCTV, doorbell cameras or dashcams which may have captured something?

“I urge anyone with information to please contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”