by Thom Morris

An estate agent has branded thieves who made off with two charity boxes "lower than the low" after burgling his business twice within a week.

The managing director of Ashford-based Stevens and Co, Andy Stevens, said: "We'd only moved into these premises about two weeks prior [to the raid]. The first break-in we had the glass in the door smashed and they got in and took all the computers but didn't really make a mess.

"Then about a week later they took out another panel and just ransacked the place. They took cameras, a laser measure and some more computers."

Thousands of pounds worth of office equipment has been stolen along with damage to the property also running into thousands of pounds.

Mr Stevens added: "Whether they thought it was a brand new office or not I don't know. Fortunately they will not have any access to any of our client's personal details and they are all backed up.

"The thing that upset me the most was that they took two collection boxes that we have; one for the Pilgrims Hospice and another for the Kent Air Ambulance. It didn't matter how much was in them you have to be lower than the low to do that."

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the break-ins that happened overnight on December 6 and December 15. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01303 289180.