SMASH and grab thugs ripped down a quiet village’s classic-red phone box in a bid to steal the loose change from the cash box.

Police believe a vehicle was used to rip the phone box from its base in the High Street, Debenham.

The parish chairman Richard Blackwell said he was concerned about the amount of crimes occurring in the village.

He said: “It’s very disappointing that people would wreck the place. People are upset about it because they do not like to see that type of thing going on.

“We will have to knuckle down and get it repaired and replaced as soon as we can. There’s been seven or eight burglaries in the past two months, the police seem to think it’s people from outside coming in targeting the village. Generally there is little crime in the village but to have those burglaries is quite extraordinary. It’s been a bit of a crime spree in our terms. We are concerned and we will give all the help we can to help track the people down. It’s a question of everybody being vigilant and keep the undesirables out of the area.”

He said the parish council notice box had also been damaged.

Police have said the crime happened at about 1.35am on April 2. Anyone with information call 101.