A gang of "brazen" thieves are targeting pubs across north London and have caused thousands of pounds of damage, frustrated landlords have said.

According to customer Ben Johnson, the Brendan the Navigator pub in Highgate Hill, The Charlotte Despard, in Archway Road, and The Spoke in Holloway Road have been burgled more than once since November 4.

The Owl and Hitchhiker in Holloway Road was said to have been burgled once, and the reader believed that the Florin in Holloway Road, The Winchester in Archway Road and St John's Tavern in Junction Road had been impacted as well, but Mr Johnson had not been able to verify this.

The Ham&High has asked the Metropolitan Police if it can confirm whether break-ins took place and whether it was linking the crimes.

John Flynn, landlord of Brendan the Navigator, said his boozer was burgled on November 8 and again on November 16 where thieves smashed a window to get in and made off with spirits and cash.

The pub is now only taking card payments and staff are staying the night.

Brendan the Navigator pub are taking card only as questions remain unanswered about a spate of burglaries across Highgate, Hornsey and HollowayBrendan the Navigator pub are taking card only as questions remain unanswered about a spate of burglaries across Highgate, Hornsey and Holloway (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

"It's very annoying redoing doors and windows each time. It's costing us thousands of pounds," he said.

"It seems to be a concerted gang going on, a lot of pubs in the area are being broken into.  There have been a serious spate of break-ins.

"These are not opportunists, they are organised. They know what they are doing.

"I don't know if police are linking them or seeing it all as a pattern. We are all feeling very vulnerable. It would be great if there was a police car driving around checking the areas."

Chris Sparks and business partner Amber Knight, landlords of the Charlotte Despard, have been sleeping on site since the first break-in on November 4.

The Charlotte Despard pub was broken into with all CCTV cameras stolen, spirits and their cat's foodThe landlords of the Charlotte Despard pub said it was broken into with all CCTV cameras stolen, spirits and their cat's food (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

They said their cameras and all the cables had been stolen as well as their three-legged cat's food. 

Chris claimed that it is the same four people coming back, who he believes are part of a much larger gang involving children and adults.

He alleged that 24 hours a day they come looking through the window, spray painting their names on walls then removing them, and generally displaying threatening behaviour.

Chris said he is frustrated at the police response.

Chris added: "I know their names, I know who they are, the police aren't interested, they just want to write their reports."

Landlords of The Charlotte Despard pub are sleeping on the premises while a spate of burglaries continuesLandlords of The Charlotte Despard pub are sleeping on the premises amidst a spate of burglaries (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Amber said of the thieves: "They don't wear masks, they are brazen. I've never been scared to go home but I am now.

"The police will not get involved. The fact that us, Brendan the Navigator, the Mosaic are all co-ordinating speaks for itself.

"Nobody feels safe. We've been doing this 30 years and we've never seen it as bad."

Mr Johnson, a customer at many of the affected pubs, said: "These pubs play a hugely important role in bringing people together across the community.

"Most are independent enterprises as well, built, managed and operated by local citizens. The criminals behind these break-ins are not therefore attacking faceless corporate entities, but the community as a whole.

"I am distressed by what appears to be highly organised criminal activity targeting the heart of our community going unchecked."

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said there was insufficient evidence for an investigation with The Owl and Hitchhiker but the incident at The Charlotte Despard is under investigation. No arrests have been made.

The Met has not yet responded to any questions regarding other pubs.