A FEARLESS shopkeeper chased a thief who stole a charity tin from his shop counter.

The crook targeted Spar on Ballards Walk, Basildon on Friday, stealing cash that was set to be donated to Cancer Research.

After asking a staff member for a packet of cigarettes, the man grabbed the charity tin and fled.

Members of staff, including owner Rav Singh, gave chase, but the thief escaped on a bike.

Mr Singh said: “He came into the shop last Friday and asked the guy on the till for some cigarettes and when he turned around the man grabbed the tin and ran.

“We tried to chase him but he was on a bike and got away from us. There wasn’t very much in the tin, perhaps about five pound or so.

“With everything else going on with the coronavirus, to do something like this is just awful.

“It wasn’t even full, I don’t know if he needed the money for drugs or anything. I think it is just sad and sickening, we have been collecting for Cancer Research for about 10 years and must have donated thousands of pounds.

“I think it’s a very sad day when you have to steal a charity tin. You just don’t expect this sort of thing to happen at your own business, or anywhere for that matter.

“We will not let this stop us raising money for the charity.”

The shop owner admitted he hasn’t found time to report the theft to the police yet, but he is planning to.

The man was described as having dark hair, wearing a hooded top and having a neck tattoo.

Community leaders also blasted the thief for stealing money collected to help others.

David Harrison, Wickford Independent chairman of Basildon Council’s Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee said: “I think this is just despicable and anyone who does this sort of thing needs to be caught and locked up.

“I would urge anyone who knows or saw anything about this incident to come forward and report.

“People have spent their time raising this money and for someone to come along and do this is not good at all on.

“This is not the sort of thing we want to see in our borough or anywhere at all.”

A BRAZEN thief snatched a cancer charity tin from a shop counter, sparking a chase from the business bosses.

The crook, branded as sickening and sad by the shop bosses, targeted Spar in Ballards Walk, Basildon.

After asking a staff member for a packet of cigarettes, the man grabbed the charity tin and left, and workers attempted to chase the man but he left quickly on a bike.

Rav Singh, owner of the shop said: “We haven’t called the police yet as we haven’t got round to doing it.

“He came into the shop last Friday and asked the guy on the till for some cigarettes and when he turned around the man grabbed the tin and ran.

“We tried to chase him but he was on a bike and got away from us. There wasn’t very much in the tin, perhaps about five pound or so.

“With everything else going on with the coronavirus, to do something like this is just awful.

“It wasn’t even full, I don’t know if he needed the money for drugs or anything. I think it is just sad and sickening, we have been collecting for Cancer Research for about 10 years and must have donated thousands of pounds.

“I think it’s a very sad day when you have to steal a charity tin. You just don’t expect this sort of thing to happen at your own business, or anywhere for that matter.

“We will not let this stop us raising money for the charity.”

The bosses also posted on Facebook about the incident, the man is described as having dark hair, wearing a hooded top and having a neck tattoo.

Community leaders also blasted the thief for stealing money collected to support the good cause.

David Harrison, Wickford Independent chairman of Basildon Council’s Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee said: “I think this is just despicable and anyone who does this sort of thing needs to be caught and locked up.

“I would urge anyone who knows or saw anything about this incident to come forward and report.

“People have spent their time raising this money and for someone to come along and do this is not good at all on.

“This is not the sort of thing we want to see in our borough or anywhere at all.”

Call 101 with any information.