STAFF were left terrified after raiders smashed their way in to a vets surgery in the middle of the night while they were tending to poorly animals.

Burglars broke in to Cherrydown Vets in Cherrydown West, Basildon at about 1.45am on Tuesday and stole charity collection boxes from behind the reception desk.

Vetenary nurses who were on duty at the time, heard the commotion and came down to find, the thieves had smashed their way in through a front window.

The callous raiders got away with two collection tins- one for the Dogs Trust and another for the Cats Protection League- however staff are not sure how much money was in them at the time.

Practice manager Shaun Plunkett, is appealing for anyone with information, to contact Basildon Police Station.

He said: “The staff members who were here were terrified at the time and have been left very shaken by what happened.

“We have members of staff on duty 24 hours to look after animals who are kept in overnight.

“We are now looking at extra security for the practice, including a CCTV system.

“I think anyone who steals from any charity is pretty low to be honest. I would appeal for anyone with information to contact Basildon Police so these people can be caught quickly.”

The burglars got in to the vets by smashing a glass panel in the front door setting off the alarm that covers the front of the practice.

The brazen thieves then searched the reception area and swiped collection boxes for the Dogs Trust and the Cats Protection League.

Staff were alerted by the alarms and came down and discovered the burglary however the thieves had already left.

Mr Plunkett thinks it will cost several hundred pounds to repair the damage to the door.

He added: “Thanksfully nobody at the surgery was harmed.”

Anyone with information should contact Basildon Police Station on 101 and quote crime reference number CF1021861214.