THE Royal British Legion has condemned a “senseless” burglary which saw charity donation boxes stolen just weeks before Remembrance Sunday.

The night time raid on Burnham Library on Thursday, October 27 saw two charity boxes, one belonging to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and the other to Friends of Burnham Library, taken.

The office was also ransacked, meaning the library had to close on Friday, and it happened just two weeks before Remembrance DaySunday.

Royal British Legion community fundraiser for Buckinghamshire, Steve Kingsford said: “It’s extremely disappointing that someone would sink so low and steal from a charity.

“Sadly, it happens from time to time. Obviously stealing from any charity is bad enough, but to steal from us at this time of year is particularly upsetting”.

A man had broken into the library just after midnight by smashing a glass door by the courtyard garden.

He was then caught on CCTV trying to rip a television from a wall but when that failed, he snatched the donation boxes.

Library assistants spent most of Friday picking up shards of glass from the floor and cleaning up where the burglar had ransacked their office space.

Andrew Strathdee of Friends of Burnham Library, said: “It was very upsetting for the staff as well as those of us committed to maintaining the library.

“It was totally senseless, they got away with very little yet at the same time created a disproportionate amount of damage. Anybody who can steal from charities must be a very sad individual, as must anybody who can destroy part of a much loved local asset.”

Investigating officer, PC Rebecca Neupert, for Thames Valley Police, said: “This offence is quite distressing as the offender has targeted a well-loved community building which is well loved in the local area. With Remembrance Sunday approaching It is also distressing that the Poppy Appeal box was taken, taking funds away from this charity.”

The suspect has been described as a man of slim build wearing a hooded jumper with the hood up.

Call Anyone with any information is urged to call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 with any information.