A charity shop in Chadwell St Mary which was the victim of an attempted break-in has been saved with help from the community.

The new St Luke’s hospice shop, which opened only ten weeks ago, was victim to one of three reported break-ins along Defoe Parade on September 1.

Heartless thieves tried – and failed – to lever open the back door and smashed a rear window at the shop, before moving on to target the Evangelical Church and a cabin at a nearby building site.

After St Luke’s posted the story on Facebook, Tilbury businessman Steve Minett stepped in to offer to help fix the alarm and back door, whilst others offered donations.

St Luke’s shop manager Julie Skeggs said: “I was so shocked when I walked into the break-in I cried.

"The world is a cruel place, a lot more into helping themselves than helping others.

"I wasn’t expecting someone to come forwards to help out. It was such a lovely thing for Steve to do, it does mean a lot to us.”

Steve Minett of Minett Property Services said: “I had just joined the Chadwell St Mary forum when I saw the post.

"I used to live just over the road and there has been trouble at this premises before.

“Stepping in was a spur of the moment thing, I just thought I could do something to help.“

Chadwell St Mary Day Nursery also reported a second break-in this year on the same night, but police did not confirm this at the time of going to press.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police are investigating three burglaries which happened at premises in Defoe Parade in Chadwell St Mary overnight on August 31.

“Suspects attempted to gain entry to St Luke’s Hospice between 5pm on August 31 and 8.30am on September 1. Damage had been caused to the front of the shop.

“A break-in happened at the Evangelical Church between 12pm on August 31 and 10am on September 1. A safe was opened but nothing was removed.

“A cabin on a nearby building site was broken into between 4pm on August 31 and 7.45am on September 1. Nothing was taken.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.”

The official launch of the new Chadwell St Luke’s shop, re-fitted with CCTV and alarms, is on Monday.