'Disgusting' thieves steal charity cash in trio of raids

A door was also damaged at Norton Canes High School and the alarms were set off. Police are saying all three could be linked.

Crofts Bakery on Burntwood Road and nearby Mr Snips hairdressers were targeted.

The intruders smashed the glass at the bottom of the front door to get into Crofts Bakery where they stole £30 of charity cash being collected for children with cerebral palsy.

Manager Julie Mason said: "I came in the following morning to see what had happened and to be honest I just thought it was disgusting.

"They have took charity money for children and just made a mess.

"We have been here nearly nine years and never had any problems whatsoever.

"There was no need to make the mess that they did, it's just ridiculous."

She added: "It is very unsettling, we are a small business and we are here to make a living.

"This is knock back.

"The glass has been smashed and at the moment I have just had it boarded up because of the time of the year."

Charity money was stolen from Mr Snips nearby which was also left in a mess although no-one from the salon was available to comment.

During the same night the alarm was triggered at Norton Canes High and damage was discovered to a door but nothing was reported stolen.

Staffordshire Police spokeswoman Jane Hoult said: "An investigation into the incidents is underway. Whether they are linked will form part of the investigation."

The break-ins happened on the night of December 9 and into the morning of December 10.

It comes after a similar trio of raids in Cannock where burglars broke into three businesses in four days last month.

A £15,000 haul of electrical goods was stolen from boots on the Orbital Retail Park while thieves only managed to snatch an empty safe from Sealine Fish Bar in High Green.

A high-value drill was stolen from Fluid Technologies in Norton Canes which prompted bosses to invest £3,000 in improving security.

Anyone with information on the latest incidents should contact police on 101.