THIEVES stole an Essex Air Ambulance collection box when they raided a farm shop in Billericay.

The intruders broke into Barleylands Farm Shop, in Southend Road, in the early hours of Sunday.

The owners of the shop have now released CCTV images on social media, appearing to show two men breaking in, in a bid to track down the culprits.

In a post on the shop’s Facebook page, staff wrote: “Not too much of a happy new year for us.

“Two guys broke into our shop and made away with cash, some stock and to top it all off the Essex Air Ambulance charity box.

“They used a big blanket which is quite a distinctive zebra type print to wrap all of their stolen goods up in.”

The CCTV pictures show both men wearing grey tracksuit bottoms.

One person is wearing a blue hooded top, while the other is wearing a blue jacket.

The value of the stolen items and cash has not yet been confirmed.

As of yesterday afternoon, the shop’s Facebook post appealing for information had been shared almost 600 times.

Posting on the shop’s page, Lisa-Marie Assenheim said: “It disgusts me that everyone at Barleylands Farm Shop works so incredibly hard and then someone thinks it's acceptable to come along and take that away. What is wrong with this world?”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were contacted in the early hours of Sunday with reports of a break in at Barleylands Farm Shop.

“A rear window was smashed to gain entry. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Basildon on 101.”