Staff at a charity shop in East Belfast have been left "devastated" following an overnight burglary.
The incident at a Marie Curie shop on the Cregagh Road was reported to police on Saturday morning.
Entry was forced to the premises overnight and a number of items, including some cash, were taken.
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One local man who lives close to the shop told Belfast Live: "The girl who works in the flower shop next door alerted police this morning (Saturday) at 7.30am when she was opening her shop.
"She told me that when she came to open her shop this morning, she saw the Marie Curie had been broken into and immediately phoned the police.
"I was talking this morning to the three women who volunteer there and they are devastated. One of the women who works there said it happened sometime after 10pm last night.
"One of the volunteers is an elderly woman. It's absolutely disgusting to target a charity shop that only takes in a few pounds a day," he added.
SDLP East Belfast Councillor Séamas de Faoite has condemned what he described as a "really heinous" incident.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are investigating a burglary at a charity shop on the Cregagh Road in east Belfast.
"At around 8am this morning, Saturday 18 March, it was reported that entry had been forced to the premises overnight. It’s understood items, including some cash, were taken.
"Anyone with information regarding this crime can contact police by calling 101, quoting reference 662 18/03/23."
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