A GOLF course has been burgled a month after it was forced to close its doors due to threats of violence to staff.

Castle Point Golf Course in Somnes Avenue, Canvey, was targeted by raiders overnight on Sunday which saw a charity tin full of cash stolen.

Police were called to the scene at around 10.05pm on November 11 and sent a team there within five minutes.

With the help of the force’s dog unit, officers searched the man building, where signs of forced entry were found, and a charity tin had been taken from within.

The police are still investigating, and while no arrests have been made, it believes the suspect to be male.

The raid follows an announcement by Glendale Golf, which leases the golf course from Castle Point Council, that it would be removing all staff from the premises after repeated issues with anti-social behaviour from youths, including threats being made with weapons.

The company claimed that due to a limited police response to the threats, which were being made regularly, its staff would have been put at unnecessary risk if they continued to work there.

Castle Point councillor Jay Blissett, of Canvey Island West, blasted the thieves, saying they were “beyond the lowest” for stealing charity money.

She said: “It’s beyond me really, I don’t understand people breaking anyone’s property, but to steal from charities, it’s below the lowest of the low.

“The amount of violence that’s going on everywhere in the country today is difficult to believe.

“I remember my parents saying when I was young how awful things were, and I recall thinking ‘it can’t be that bad’, but now I find myself saying the same things.

“Canvey Island used to be a lovely, peaceful place to live, but I don’t know why people are behaving the way they are now.”

Mrs Blissett encouraged the community to try to help in solving and preventing similar crimes.

She added: “I’m not sure how people can help any further, but I would hope if appeals are made on Facebook and people recognise faces, they should report anything they know to police.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a burglary at Castle Point Golf Course on Canvey Island just after 10.05pm on November 11.

“Officers attended within five minutes and, with the help of the Dog Unit, searched the main building.

“A man is believed to have broken in and taken a charity tin. Our enquiries are ongoing.” Anyone with information should call 101 quoting crime reference number 42/165123/18.