Cash stolen from homeless centre

The crooks escaped with two locked petty cash boxes containing £350, after breaking into the Homeless Action Resource Project in Valkyrie Road, Southend.

The intruders forced open an office window before breaking off a drawer lock to get to the money.

Deputy manager of the charity, Debbie Perry, was horrified when she arrived at the building at 8.30am to find her office had been ransacked.

She said: "I am gutted. It's how all the staff feel, as well as angry and upset. Why steal from people who have nothing?

"We are all that homeless people in Southend have got."

The centre helps more than 50 homeless people a week by offering practical support and advice.

The stolen £350 was due to be spent on food, transport and clothing for the homeless as well as covering the charity's hard-working volunteers £3 daily allowance.

The centre was forced to stay closed following the break-in on Monday, August 6.

On Tuesday, homeless visitors were given spaghetti and bread to eat because there was no cash to buy food.

Money is no longer kept on the premises overnight.

The charity is funded solely through donations and grants. Southend Council is a major financial contributor to the cause.

Lately the charity has been struggling to cope after being hit with a series of cash-cuts.

John Lamb, Southend Council's executive councillor for enterprise, tourism and the environment, described the theft as "absolutely despicable".

He said: "I feel really angry and it's so sad people have done this to such a worthwhile charity.

"It's dreadful someone has broken into a place where people are down and out, just to steal from them."

Alan Jones, spokesman for Southend police, said: "It's one thing to steal, but to steal from a charity is a very low thing to do."

Anyone with information on the crime can call Southend police on 01702 431212.

If you want to help replace the stolen money by making a donation to the homeless project, call 01702 430696.