A supermarket security guard has warned generous shoppers to be careful after thieves were spotted raiding bags destined for charity.

Thieves have been seen stealing shoes and clothes from bags left inside and on top of charity containers, based in the car park at Marks Farm Tesco in Coggeshall Road, Braintree.

The containers contain hundreds of pounds worth of goods that shoppers have donated to charities including the Salvation Army and the Variety children’s charity during their visit to the store.

A Tesco security guard called the police after spotting the same man approach the containers and reach inside.

He said: “ I have seen the man come and help himself from the charity bin and I have even had a member of the public come up to me, saying that she saw a guy stealing clothes and shoes."

See the Braintree Times for the full story.