THIEVES stole nearly £700 after smashing their way into a children’s hospice charity shop.

Julia’s House shop in Poole High Street was targeted just before midnight last night.

After breaking in through the front door the offenders made off with the safe.

It contained the day’s takings as well as £112 saved by volunteers to cover the cost of their Christmas meal.

Police soon arrived at the scene and gave chase. Unfortunately the perpetrators managed to escape.

Staff and volunteers have had to keep the shop closed this morning so that they could clean up the broken glass.

Shop manager Sue Osborne said: “We were all absolutely heartbroken. It was a really awful scene to be greeted with this morning. We just couldn’t believe someone would do such a dreadful thing – stealing money that helps support families with really poorly children.

“It was an added blow to find the money from the volunteers Christmas Club had been taken too. We have some of the longest-serving Julia’s House volunteers working at our Poole shop – they dedicate hours and hours of their time to a charity that is really close to their heart.

“They had been saving a few pounds each week for four months so that they could enjoy a Christmas meal together. Some of them won’t be able to afford to do that now, it’s so sad.

“We are only glad we were able to clean up quickly and get back to business as usual – raising money for Julia’s House.”