The owner of a curry house has spoken of his frustration after burglars raided his restaurant. 

Burglars broke into the Curry Leaf in High Road, South Woodford, after owner Asad Ahmed had closed up for the evening on Wednesday night. 

It is believed they broke in after midnight by removing a ventilation window situated high above the back door.

A safe containing paperwork was cut open and a tool was used to wedge open the safe where they took £500 cash and a Samsung tablet.  

Police were alerted about the break-in prompting a police helicopter and dogs unit to the scene. 

Mr Ahmed, 34, opened the restaurant in August last year. 

He said: "They broke two locks to the safe and then cut it open only to find it was full of paperwork. It was a complete mess, papers were thrown all over the floor. 

"You never think anything like this will happen to your business. I'm now really scared to leave at the end of the night in case they come back. 

"These things should not be happening in South Woodford. I'm so frustrated". 

According to the MPS Helicopter Twitter feed, a suspect was detained near the scene.

Police have been contacted for an update.