A SHOP owner has slammed the “scumbags” who stole two charity boxes during a smash and grab raid on his store.

Iain Smith, who runs spiritualist shop, The Haven, says his Waterloo Court store was targeted overnight between Sunday, June 19 and Monday, June 20.

The father-of-two says thieves smashed a window to access the shop and made-off with two charity boxes, including one for Blind Veterans UK – which contained about £80.

The 46-year-old says the other box, for Andover Visually Impaired People (VIP), may have only contained a small amount of change.

Mr Smith says a card reader, a mobile hotspot and a mobile phone, totalling £200, were also stolen in the raid.

The shop owner, who himself suffers from visual impairment, said: “I just can’t believe it.

“I think the people who did this are scumbags.

“It’s annoying about the the damage to the shop and the electronics are replaceable, but I’m more annoyed about the charity boxes.

“People had put their money in those pots to go to charity and now the charities won’t get the money they need.”

Asked who he thought might have committed the theft, he said: “I spoke to someone and they said it might have been some druggies.

“Apparently they steal the boxes and empty out the silvers and leave the coppers.”

Mr Smith has run the shop for a year-and-a-half and says he has never experienced anything like this before.

However he remains determined to keep fundraising for both charities.

“I won’t be deterred from giving and raising for charity.

“I’ve already ordered two new boxes.

“Both charities are close to my heart so I won’t stop raising money for them.”

Police say they are currently investigating the raid.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “We received a report on June 20 regarding a burglary at the shop in Waterloo Court between 4.30pm on June 17 and 9.30am on June 20.

“From the report it says charity boxes were stolen (no specific quantity) and card reading devices, all from the till area.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting the reference 44170234389.