THIEVES used a crowbar to force their way into a Blackburn community shop, stealing £40 from a till and charity boxes.

Volunteers have spoken of their devastation after the burglary at the Rummage Rescuers shop in Railway Road.

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The not-for-profit organisation is a hub for people to gain work experience and provides clothing, furniture and white goods to people who are struggling financially.

The break-in last weekend, leaves bosses warning people to ask for an ID badge if they see anyone collecting with charity tubs on behalf of Rummage Rescuers.

Carole Smith, one of the managers, said: “They crowbarred their way in. We are all very upset. The manager turned up in the morning and saw they had yanked the till out of the wall.

“The two charity boxes had a good amount of money in them. People are always putting money in them. It is a community shop and it has just started getting going.

“We have had good feedback from people who use it so for this to happen is devastating.”

The shop gets referrals from Blackburn with Darwen Council, issuing tokens for people to pick up items including furniture.

Miss Smith said: “Volunteers have given their all and then someone has broken in. It is coming up to Christmas and it is such a shame that people can do that. They have stolen from the community.

"These people have nothing - these are people who live on the streets.t is about the money but also about people who can break into a charity shop for the homeless and people who have nothing. “They are brainless thieves.”

She said the shop will look at stepping up security after the fire door was damaged.

They are also looking for a donation of a till so they can continue to provide their services. Anyone who has a spare one can drop it into the shop in Railway Road next to Morrisons.

A police spokeswoman said: “Between 4pm on December 3 and 9am on Monday somebody has approached the fire escape and managed to get in. They made off with the till contents of about £40 and charity boxes.” Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log number 269 of December 5.