THIEVES struck twice in the early hours of successive mornings to steal a table and chair set from the front of a local veterans' club.

The crime was captured on CCTV but the thieves showed little concern as they stole the chairs of a table and chair set in the forecourt of the RAF Association club on Southend Road in Grays.

First the chairs:-

The first theft took place at 1.25am on Wednesday morning and the thieves returned around the same time this morning (Thursday, 26 June) and completed the haul.

Then the table:

A spokesperson for the club said: "The chairs were not of particularly great value, but were renovated and donated to the club so members could enjoy a bit of time in the sun. To be honest, to have made them secure with chains or locks seems like something we should have done with hindsight, but I suppose we are of too trusting a nature.

"It's a bit staggering that the thieves have a complete disregard for the CCTV camera which is active and visble, but that's probably another sign of the times!"

The theft has been reported to the police and anyone who has information can contact them on 101 or via the online website. The crime reference number is 42/88898/25. Police can be contacted by submitting information via the Essex force website where you can use an online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

If anyone wants to report information directly to the club call 07885313435 or email here.