Masked raiders smashed their way into a "board games café" in east London, ripping a safe from the wall before making off with computer equipment and thousands of pounds in cash.

Draughts, which opened in Hackney in November, was forced to shut up shop in the aftermath of the raid yesterday morning. A safe was wrenched out of the wall and floor where it was bolted, causing extensive damage and costing the business all its Bank Holiday weekend takings.

An office was also trashed and four board games destroyed as the raiders apparently looked for keys to the deposit box.

The café today released these CCTV pictures on Twitter, showing the men they claim were involved in the break-in.

Owner Nick Curci, 35, told the Standard: "It looked like they were just after cash and things they could get rid of pretty quickly.

"They spent about 40 minutes digging the safe out of the ground and the wall. The safe was bolted to the wall and floor so for them to get it out they had to do a lot of damage."

Mr Curci said he believed the crooks knew there would be Bank Holiday takings stashed away waiting to be taken to the bank on Tuesday. He estimates about £3,000 was taken.

"They took one of our tablets that plays music and ransacked the kitchen - presumably looking for keys or something - and headed to the office.

"They busted the door in and ransacked that for our iPad till system and a till drawer that was in there with maybe £20 to £50," he added.

"They took some employees' bags, which they emptied and used as carrier bags. Then they took the safe."

Fortunately the shop and games library, which includes about 600 titles, were untouched, and organisers hope the café will be open again tonight.

Messages of support for the start-up - which opened its doors in November after a kickstarter scheme raised £20,000 in three days to get it off the ground - have deluged the café on social media since it reported the break-in.

"Hopefully those responsible go directly to jail and do not pass go," wrote Dominic Sutton on Facebook.

Sam Shortt added: "This is really sad news - you've quickly become my favourite place in London. I hope you've not suffered too much loss and damage."

"I bet they have a chequered past," wrote @tokyo_mitch on Twitter after seeing the mugshots allegedly showing the suspects.

A Met spokesman confirmed the break-in had been reported and that cash, an iPad and laptop had been taken.

"Enquiries continue and there have been no arrests," he added.

If you have information, detectives urge you to call 101. Alternatively, phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.