THIEVES stole £500 from the Grayshott Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in an overnight raid, on November 22, using tools stolen from Grayshott fire station.

Offenders gained entry to Royal British Legion by forcing open a side window and smashed a safe out of a wall. Heavy duty cutting equipment was used to get into the top of the safe and £500 of charity money was stolen.

Hampshire Police believe the tools were stolen in a raid days earlier on the village fire station, when thieves broke in via a rear double glazed window and gained access via a large sliding window.

They made off with heavy duty cutting equipment, crow bars, and sledgehammers.

On the same night, as the Royal British Legion break-in, thieves forced open the rear exit door of St Luke’s Church, causing damage to the door. They then forced open a locked church office door and stole a money box and an undisclosed amount of cash.