RAIDERS caused extensive damage and stole cash and goods in a raid on a Thurock community hall.

Corringham Hall on Springhouse Road, which is run by local trustees as an entertainment and function venue and is registered as a charitable operation, was burgled between Thursday afternoon and Friday evening.

Thieves smashed their way through a fire exit, then broke into the bars taking the tills, bottles of spirits, CCTV hard drive, computers, strimmer and other gardening equipment.

They also damaged all internal doors which are fire doors.

A spokesperson for the hall's trustees said: "This has caused thousands of pounds of damage. How can anyone do this to a community hall?

"We are unsure now whetrher we can sustain the costs of replacing all the equipment and doors.

"If anyone has any information on their CCTV or Ring doorbells please call 01375 679011 or you can email [email protected]."

Corringham Hall has been serving the community and has been at the heart of the local area for more than 50 years.

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It became a registered charity in 1971 and has offered it services from children's play group to karate to pipes and drums. It is proud of the reputation it has gained for being the place for cabarets, parties and weddings.