PENSIONERS have been left distraught today after a sneaky thief broke into their sheltered homes complex and stole money they had been saving.

PENSIONERS have been left distraught today after a sneaky thief broke into their sheltered homes complex and stole money they had been saving.

The intruder escaped with £500 and a cash tin from the Yetton Ward House in Felixstowe - money the elderly residents had been collecting to help pay for the tax and insurance for their minibus.

Police are investigating the burglary and have appealed for people in the area who may know the thief or saw a person running away from the 31-flat complex in Cricket Hill Road to come forward.

Yetton Ward resident Jemima McKenna said: “Everyone is really upset - we just cannot believe it.

“We had been saving up this money over many months with everyone contributing a little bit when they could and we had more than £500 in the tin.

“Some of it was going to be used to help put on our annual fete, and the rest to pay for the tax and insurance for our minibus which takes the residents out on trips.

“I just don't know what we are going to do now or what will happen to the bus.”

Mrs McKenna, 62, said the money tin had been taken from a cupboard in the communal lounge and kitchen area at the complex, but no-one knew how the thief had got into the building.

“We are angry and disappointed, but also very concerned because there are vulnerable elderly people living here and it's not very nice to think that someone has come into our home,” she said.

A police spokeswoman said the theft had happened between 9pm on June 14 and 9am Monday June 16.

“Inquiries are taking place at the moment and we would love to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious around the complex during these times, saw someone leaving the area quickly carrying something, or has any information about who did this,” she said.

Those with information should contact Pc Regan Bradshaw at Felixstowe police on 01473 613500.

The residents would love to have a safe in which to keep their cash in future. Any business or person who has a small safe they no longer need and would like to donate to the home should contact Mrs McKenna on 01394 278271.

Have you been a victim of crime? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk