A callous burglar has been branded “despicable” after an Oxfam store was ransacked.

The shop in The Parade, Watford, was broken into at some point between 6pm on Wednesday, November 16, and 9.15am the following day.

The burglar reportedly left it in a state with part of the ceiling damaged before fleeing. Staff are still trying to establish what was taken but the shop does not keep cash overnight.

It is understood one person is believed to have been involved.

Oxfam has been forced to temporarily close and lose several days' business as it cleans up the mess.

A woman asking for information online said: “I know times are hard but they were robbing the world’s poorest of the poor. How despicable.”

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Another responded: “Omg [oh my god]. I used to volunteer in the South Oxhey Oxfam and know how much we rely on good stock. How disgusting.”

A Herts Police spokesperson confirmed an investigation has been launched and urged anyone with information to contact them. Details can be reported via 101 quoting reference 41/93244/22.

It comes after two homes within three minutes’ drive of each other were burgled the previous day.

One was in Foxlands Close, Leavesden, and the other was Clarke Way. Both were raided at some point between 7.30am and 6pm on Tuesday, November 15 – with a PS5 and perfume stolen.

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