CALLOUS crooks ransacked a community hub before smashing the windows of a truck due to deliver vital goods to Ukraine.

The thieves smashed their way into the Harwich Space hub, in George Street, which is home to a number of community groups, including the North Essex Support Team (Nest) and Harwich’s Ukraine Support Project.

In a statement on social media, a spokesman for Harwich Space said the break-in happened between Thursday evening and 8.20am on Friday.

She said: “Somebody bypassed our alarm and broke into our visitor centre.

“They have ransacked the building, thrown a cannonball about the office and stolen tools and computer equipment.

“After they’d relaxed in the office with a packet of biscuits they went outside where a charity we work with had parked their trucks.

“Despite the fact both of them were clearly marked ‘delivering humanitarian aid’, they decided they would force open the backs and smash the windows.

“Teech, the charity they belong to, were driving out to Moldova and Ukraine in a few weeks with aid - much of it donated by generous Harwich residents.

“This trip may now have to be delayed.”

The spokeswoman said the centre had assured the charity the site would be a safe place for their trucks until the next trip to transport vital goods to Ukrainians in need following the Russian invasion.

“It’s been less than a week and we are mortified,” she added.

“We are appealing for anybody in the George Street area who has CCTV to please have a look for us and see if they have any footage that may help identify these people.

“They would have been carrying computer equipment, tools and possibly a very large axe.

“We also think they broke in with something like a crowbar.

“If anybody has any information, please can you let us know or report it to the police who are currently investigating.”

Les Nicoll, who runs Nest, said: “I feel so sorry for them as I’m aware of the work that has gone into the community space.

“I’m heartbroken for them, although fortunately for Nest nothing of ours was taken or damaged.”

Witnesses should call Essex Police on 101.