FIREFIGHTERS were forced to cut open a charity recycling bank after thieves were spotted stealing donated clothes.

Police were called when a van backed up to the Salvation Army donation bank, in the car park of Winchmore Hill Sainsbury's, in the middle of the night.

Eyewitness reported seeing a child being lowered into the bank, apparently to pass out clothes for the thieves in the van.

When officers arrived, the charity raiders fled. But firefighters had to cut open the bank to check that a child had not been left inside.

Paul Ozanne, national recycling coordinator for the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd, confirmed clothes had been stolen, on Wednesday, June 1, and condemned the thieves' actions.

He said: “Individuals and groups that vandalise clothing banks and steal the donations have no regard for the people we are raising money to help.

“This behaviour threatens to damage the trust, goodwill and charitable spirit that has been built up over the years between the generous general public and organisations such as ourselves.”

After firefighters prised open the bank, just before 3am, no child was found inside and emergency services left the scene.

The damaged bank was taken away to the charity's offices in Northamptonshire, and a replacement was put in place on Friday, June 3.

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident.