Community groups based at a church hall in Billericay were left shocked after thieves made off with television and video equipment following a night time raid.

The break-in at the Methodist Church Hall in Western Road, Billericay, was discovered at around 9am on Wednesday July 12 when play group leader Gill Rogers arrived at the hall and found a back door open.

A video player, a Nicam wide-screen television and satellite box had been taken.

The equipment was used by youth organisations. Ms Rogers said: "We are quite shocked at the theft.

"It is not just one person who will suffer."

A police spokesman said: "The hall was broken into on the ground floor after a window was forced.

"An untidy search was made and the items were taken from an upstairs room.

"The thieves left through a fire exit door through which they had previously attempted to break in."

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