St Helena Hospice's Dovercourt shop targeted during break-in

Staff at the St Helena Hospice shop were "distressed" by the break-in, its manager said

A charity shop manager said he was "heartbroken" after thieves broke in and stole jewellery.

St Helena Hospice said its shop in Dovercourt, Essex, had been left with a "daunting" repair bill.

The raid took place overnight on 24 January and more than £200 worth of jewellery was stolen.

"We are heartbroken to face yet another break-in," said retail area manager Tim Morgan, who added staff were "distressed" by the incident.

Mr Morgan said staff had arrived at work to find thieves had gained entry by smashing the glass panel on the front door.

He estimated more than £300 in sales had been lost while the shop, on Bagshaw Road, was closed and the mess was cleaned up.

'Heartache'

"We are heartbroken to face yet another break in, so soon after our Coggeshall shop was targeted at the end of November," Mr Morgan said.

"This has caused more heartache to our community, along with additional bills to pay for repairs - money which would have been spent on supporting our patients and their families."

Mr Morgan added staff were "so grateful" for support shown by the community.

Police officers investigating the burglary said no money was taken during the break-in.

An Essex Police spokeswoman appealed for anyone with information to contact the force.