POLICE are hunting moronic thieves who smashed and trashed a charity shop causing over £1,000 worth of damage... to steal just 3p.

The mindless culprits embarked on an overnight rampage at a Cancer Research shop, in Eastwalk, Basildon, where they rifled through stock and forced open the till.

Yet the break-in proved to be a pointless exercise, because staff do not leave cash on the premises overnight.

The crooks escaped with just a handful of second hand DVDs and a charity box containing 3p.

Volunteers from the shop fear the tin could be used by the thieves to con cash from unsuspecting members of the public.

Valerie Perry, manager of the branch, said: "Our biggest worry is they will now take the Cancer Research tin out on the streets.

"We would urge anyone who suspects something like that could be going on to contact the police."

Valerie praised her team who discovered the raid early on Wednesday morning, then spent hours clearing up the mess so business could continue as normal.

She said: "We are so passionate about this charity here. We were disgusted by what had happened, but weren't going to let that stop us getting a day's takings."

"As for whoever did this, let's hope they never need the help of Cancer Research.

"The damage they caused will end up costing the charity and that could have been the difference between getting or not getting a drug, which could one day save their lives.

"I can't put into words how I feel about the people responsible. They are the lowest of the low."

Valerie is now appealing for people to donate good quality clothes or sale items to the charity to make up for the raid.

Anyone interested in donating to the shop can call 01268 285063.

If you have information on the break-in, call police on 0300 333444.