A gang of yobs smashed into a pharmacy and went on a wrecking spree before throwing armfuls of potentially lethal drugs into the street and a nearby park as they fled.

Closed - Biju Gandecha has been forced to shut his shop Picture: ROB BROWNE

Police said they were shocked by the scale of the destruction caused by the looters at Noak Bridge Pharmacy, in Coppice Lane, Noak Bridge.

PC Mario Blackwell of Basildon police said: "It was a gang of at least five youths, aged about 16 or 17.

"They literally smashed the door off its hinges and destroyed the place. It looked like an earthquake had hit it.

"After wrecking everything they could, they grabbed armfuls of cosmetics, drugs and sweets and ran down the street throwing stuff everywhere.

"A load was left strewn around the nearby park as well. They even took the till."

Anyone with information about it should call Basildon police on 01268 532212.

Published Friday March 5, 2004

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