A PHARMACIST manager has spoken of his "disgust" at thieves who stole charity collection boxes.

Thieves stole collection boxes for St Richard's Hospice and Evesham Cardiac Rehab Centre during the raid on Stewarts Pharmacy in Waterside, Evesham.

The collection boxes, which were believed to have up to £40 in them were taken after burglars smashed through a window overnight on Monday.

Arfan Talib, manager of the pharmacy said: "To steal from a pharmacy is bad enough, but to steal collection boxes really is the lowest of the low.

"We were disgusted to find out what had happened. It is not about the money taken but that people would think to steal from charities and I did not expect that, particularly around here.

"I don't know exactly how much was in the charity boxes but they were quite full. Probably about £30 to £40."

Thieves also stole £100 belonging to the business and damaged the window of the shop.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: "A business premises has been broken into overnight and charity collection boxes stolen along with a quantity of cash."

It follows Plan B Computers and Riverside Surgery being burgled in Waterside in February, for which a man was sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court.

A house was also broken into on the same street in February, in which a lounge window was smashed. No culprit has been charged for this.

Anyone with information, contact police on 101 quoting incident number 0097S 050318.