Callous thieves vandalised one charity shop and tried to break into another one, for the sake of £20.

The thugs ransacked the Children's Society Shop, in Newland Street, Witham, before stealing the small sum of cash over the weekend.

The appalled manageress Jean Pullen could not believe the state of the store when she opened up this morning.

She said: "This is absolutely disgusting because we are a charity shop and only ever have small amounts in the till. Frankly, there is nothing else of value here.

"I am still in shock, I work so very, very hard and then to come in to face this awful mess is too much."

Mrs Pullen believes the thieves broke into through the back window and smashed the front door open to make a quick get away.

The Oxfam store in Newland Precinct was also targeted at the weekend, but the would-be thieves could not gain entry.

One of the volunteers, who does not wished to be named, said she too was shocked by the experience.

She said the store had been broken into before and now has to have a tight security system to stop anyone getting in.

A spokesman for Braintree police said: "Any burglary, whether it involves someone's business or home, is very upsetting, but when the property is used by a charity, this adds a whole new dimension.

"These volunteers work to help others and people give their money because they believe it is going to a good cause. Stealing this money deprives others and is very serious."

Police have yet to confirm whether the two incidents are connected. They are appealing for anyone with information to contact Braintree police station on 01376 551312.

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