THIS is the state of a Poole charity shop after it was ransacked by thieves who stole cash and donations, leaving destruction behind them.

Heartbroken staff at the PDSA shop in the High Street found furniture smashed up, clothes and donations strewn everywhere, and the culprits even sprayed the fire extinguisher over the shop, destroying donations and the office computer.

Manager Jane Hill, who discovered the chaos on Saturday morning, said the thieves removed a safe containing the shop's float money that was bolted to the ground, and stole valuable stock and donations, including a bag of DVDs.

She told the Echo the charity must be thousands of pounds out of pocket. The thieves even smashed the internet point, sprayed water over paperwork and stamped on filing-trays. "The destruction was unbelievable" she added.

The shop was forced to close on Saturday and Sunday while police investigated and staff and volunteers cleared up the mess.

Jane added: “We’re all absolutely devastated that someone could do something like this.

“It seems like they were determined to break anything they could get their hands on. The police forensics officer said it was the worst mess she had seen in 20 years in the job.

“Being unable to open the shop means that not only have we lost donations, we’ve also lost out on income that would have helped treat poorly pets. On top of this we’ve had to pay to replace the equipment that was destroyed."

Jane has issued an urgent appeal for donations of any items of clothing, shoes or accessories.

She added: "We would be so grateful for any donations - we've got to build up our stock again so we can help all the poorly pets which is what we all work hard to do."

To help please call Jane on 01202 665504.

Dorset Police said the thieves forced their way in through the back of the shop. Anyone who has any information about the break-in or saw anything suspicious overnight from Friday to Saturday should contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting reference 16:129.

This incident follows raids on two charity shops in North Dorset earlier this month. Sue Ryder Care and Cats Protection League on the High Street in Gillingham were ransacked and cash was stolen between the evening of Saturday, April 9 and the morning of Monday, April 11.

Police Constable Matt Weldon, of North Dorset police, said: "To target charity shops in this way is unacceptable."