BURGLARS have delivered an unseasonal pre-Christmas message to eight commercial premises in Alton.

Cash was stolen from safes and charity boxes in the whistlestop crime spree which began on December 23 and continued on Christmas Eve.

Police are now investigating the incidents, together with one in Bordon, which they say could be related.

The first burglary occurred shortly after noon on December 23 when thieves broke into the Army cadet building on Farnham Road in Bordon. A rear window was smashed and clothing, food and cash stolen.

Eight further reports were received on Christmas Eve from commercial premises in Alton, on Drayman’s Way, Station Road, Anstey Lane, and Vicarage Hill.

Reverend David Hinks, associate vicar of the Parish of the Resurrection and former prison chaplain, discovered the break-in at St Lawrence Church Hall, on Vicarage Hill, at 8.30am. Having used the main entrance to enter the hall he was confronted by a fire extinguisher in the middle of the floor which he subsequently found had been used to stove in the door to the parish office.

While nothing appeared to have been taken from the office, Rev Hinks discovered that access to the building had been gained via a kitchen window, leaving the church to pick up the cost of repairs.

He said: “While there was no vindictive damage, it is still a vile crime that is not victimless. It is still violating a person’s space.”

At least two premises came under attack at Anstey Park, including the air and Army cadets headquarters and Energique Health Club.

Six windows were smashed at Energique, causing thousands of pounds of damage, but owner Jayne Shephard said the break in was foiled by the burglar alarm and the raiders left empty handed. And she added that while there was plenty of clearing up to do, it remains “business as usual” at the gym.

According to Flight Lieutenant Lorna Phillips, who received a call from the police at 2am on Christmas Eve, intruders broke into the cadet building via the fire escape and “trashed” the offices, throwing bleach over everything, although it appears nothing was taken.

While the building is maintained by the South East Reserves and Cadet Forces Association, who will need to engage the services of specialist cleaners, the cost of damage to any equipment will have to be borne by the cadets themselves.

Also falling victim to the Christmas Eve spree was Pets Corner on Drayman’s Way, as well as three premises at Alton railway station.

Karl Yau, owner of the Station Cafe, said that thieves had smashed the glass in the door to gain access to the cafe and had forced open the till to steal the cash float, staff tips and a charity box. He believes the break-in took place between midnight and 5am, and that the cost of repairing the damage is likely to be in the region of £2,000.

According to Kevin New, owner of neighbouring Wilson Taxis, access to his building was via a double-glazed window which the intruders smashed before rifling through drawers and cupboards and making off with a charity box while ignoring the keys for the taxis parked in the yard outside.

Mr New said that the perpetrators had been caught on camera around 2.10am, courtesy of the CCTV system on the nearby platform where they had broken into the station kiosk and reportedly even “made themselves a cup of tea”.

The police have confirmed that one report had indicated two people wearing hooded tops, one carrying a rucksack, and both acting suspiciously. CCTV footage is now being reviewed.

They are also looking into whether these incidents are linked, and if they are linked to other reports from the Bordon area earlier in the week.

Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the town should call Sergeant Claire Winter at Alton police station on 101, quoting 44150450582, or get in touch via hampshire.police.uk or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Minicom users should call 01962 875000.