BURGLARS left behind a pile of rubble and dust after they forced their way into an estate agents and smashed through a wall to get into offices next door.

BURGLARS left behind a pile of rubble and dust after they forced their way into an estate agents and smashed through a wall to get into offices next door.

Computer equipment and petty cash was stolen when the thieves broke into Shires estate agents, in Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds, and then demolished part of the internal wall to get into the neighbouring office block.

The Chamber of Commerce and Town Centre Management offices were both targeted and ransacked before the burglars fled.

Staff at Shires called the police after finding the hefty hole in the wall when they arrived for work early yesterday.

They were told not to touch anything before police forensic officers had examined the scene - which was covered in plasterboard and dust from the wrecked wall.

Two computer towers were left at the bottom of a staircase and office drawers were strewn around the top floor.

Steve Peters, town centre manager, said he was saddened to find his offices turned upside and it would take some time to fix the doors and tidy up.

“It is a huge shame - you just don't expect something like this to happen in Bury.

“It was someone from the estate agents who phoned the police - it looks as though they have come through the wall from there into this building.

“They have kicked the doors down, pulled drawers out and taken my laptop.

“Some of the computer towers have been left by the front door. We hope to be up and running again soon but we will need to replace the doors and tidy up.”

A spokesman for Bury police appealed for anyone with information about the break-in, which happened between 6.30pm on Wednesday and 8.30am yesterday, to call 01284 774100.

He said several of the businesses had equipment taken in the burglaries and a safe was also among the haul.