VOLUNTEERS at a Christchurch charity have hit out at the “heartless” thieves who ransacked their new shop, undoing hours of hard work.

Age Concern trustee and Councillor Fred Neale discovered the attackers had broken in with a crowbar and rifled through all the donated goods – including jewellery – on Friday.

The full value of what was taken is not yet known, as the shop is due to open next month and volunteers were still organising the stock.

Cllr Neale said: “It just seems mindless.

“These people are the lowest of the low because when it comes down to it this charity helps the local community so they are stealing from the older generation of Christchurch.

“They are stealing from their neighbours.”

Bags had been ripped into, a trolley had been thrown across the shop and discarded goods were scattered all over the floor after the thieves forced the back door open.

It’s thought they took anything they could carry.

“They must have come prepared with a three or four inch deep crow bar,” Cllr Neale added.

“It’s quite an obscure way to find the rear entrance and it feels like someone’s been watching us.”

Some of the “heartbroken’”volunteers were now scared to be in the shop, he said.

Dorset Police have been informed and carried out a search of the shop.

Anyone with any information should call the non-emergency number 101.