POLICE have spoken to a number of youngsters and have offered support to their families after CCTV cameras captured a gang of thieves lowering a child through the sunroof of a car.

Gloria Thorpe, 73, of Orwell Road, Dovercourt, said young crooks caused so much damage trying to get into her Citroen Saxo it is now an insurance write-off.

All the group took was an emergency nylon raincoat and an empty Sainsbury’s shopping bag.

Mrs Thorpe and her husband, Korean War veteran Kenneth, 86, both suffer from arthritis and said the thieves have robbed them of their freedom.

The CCTV shows a gang spent eight minutes breaking into the car.

Chief Inspector Russ Cole, Tendring Police’s district commander, said: “Two 16-year-olds have been interviewed by the police and spoken to.

“They have been released on bail pending further investigation and other policing steps.

“We are also supporting the family of a number of girls with some other help.”

After being reported by the Gazette, the incident hit the national headlines.

Mrs Thorpe said the group caught on CCTV resembled “Fagin’s gang” of thieves from Charles Dicken’s classic novel Oliver Twist.

Resident Aslam Miah set up a fundraising page to help get the couple’s car back on the road.

So far £120 of the £300 target has been raised.

To donate, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/aslam-miah.