THIEVES broke into a charity shop through the roof and stole the whole day’s takings.

British Red Cross volunteers arrived at work on Thursday morning to find holes in the roof and about £500, which was in the safe, stolen.

Staff and police are appealing for witnesses to the heist at the British Red Cross charity shop in London Road, Brighton.

Manager Amelia Heathcote said: “My manager came in this morning and she saw glass on the floor and she knew that was not right.

“They had broken in through the roof – there is scaffolding next door – and taken tiles off the ceiling. “It was a complete mess – they had smashed a hole through the wall, gemmied the safe open and taken a day’s takings.”

Ms Heathcote said the police had found a pair of gloves at the scene and had carried out door-to-door enquiries in the area.

She had to use her own money on Thursday to make sure there was enough change in the till for the shop to open.

She said: “Everyone is really upset and sad about it all because we have worked so hard all year. We have got old-age pensioners helping out and it makes them feel a bit nervous.

“But it only makes us more determined to make more money for the Red Cross. If it does affect us it must affect us in a positive way.”

PC Samantha Candy, of the local Neighbourhood Response Team, said: “This was a truly saddening incident, particularly at Christmas time when charities such as the Red Cross are working so hard to help needy people.

“It’s been a real setback for the shop and I hope anyone who saw anything suspicious or who has other information about this burglary will come forward and help us to identify the offenders.”

Anyone able to help is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 197 of 18/12.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.