THE owners of two tattoo shops targetted by arsonists are at a loss as to why they were the victims.

The co-owners of Tilbury Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio, in Dock Road, Tilbury, Trish and Tony Byne, cannot understand why their business was targeted by arsonists in the early hours of last Monday, January 17.

The arsonist is believed to have poured an accelerant into their external air conditioning shaft, which was ignited and led to a fire which ripped though the shop.

Mrs Byne said: “Our piercing studio needs to be gutted because of the fire, and its going to cost hundreds of pounds to repair.

“I can’t understand why this happened we haven’t had any issues before since we’ve been here for more than 13 years.

“The fumes from the fire also went through to our waiting area and we spent all day Tuesday cleaning up.”

The couple have vowed to be open for business by today.

Police are also probing an attack on The Original Body Works, in Corringham Road, Stanford-Le-Hope.

It caused £150 of damage to the window and door of the shop.

Gail Trudgill, owner of the shop said: “The damage to our shop windows will be repaired this week, and we will still fight on despite this and won’t let the culprits ruin us.”

Anyone with information can call South Ockendon CID serious crime team on 0300 3334444 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.