Thieves steal charity collection box from Wash Common store

HEARTLESS thieves have stolen a Guide Dogs charity collection box from the Budgens store in Wash Common.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the five foot item, which is in the shape of a dog, was taken from the shop in the early hours of Friday October 30.

It is thought there may have been up to £300 in the collection box at the time the offenders smashed their way through the front door and stole it.

The store's owner, Mike Estlea, said: "What they did was beneath contempt and it just beggars belief that they would deliberately target a charity box. "They didn't touch anything else in the shop.

"The collection box was very popular with customers and particularly small children. A lot of people have become quite familiar with it over the years we have been collecting for Guide Dogs."

The shop's security alarm was activated during the robbery, but the offender(s) left before police had arrived.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.