Burglars ripped a safe from a wall then manoeuvered it through a small window when they raided a garden centre yesterday.

The burglars used a broom to smash security cameras and wreaked havoc during the break-in at Old Moat Garden Centre in Horton Lane, Epsom, which trains people with mental health problems.

Debbie Dibble, team leader at the garden centre, said the stolen safe contained around £1,200 and believes at least two thieves cut through the chain-linked fence at about 2am.

Your Local Guardian:

Garden centre worker Phil Pine next to the smashed van window

Ms Dibble said they broke into a potting shed, storage container and garage, pulled back the roof of two other garages and smashed the back window of a van.

She said: "They smashed the door of the barn and we think they took a broom out of there. They used the broom to take out the security cameras. It seems like they knew what they were doing."

Ms Dibble said the thieves then used tools, possibly a jack, to take the bars out of a window and remove its frame. They climbed through the window into the main office.

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Garden centre workers Clive Goodman, Debbie Dibble and Phil Pine

She said: "They managed to pull our takings’ safe off the wall and somehow lugged it through the very small window."

The garden centre's expensive plants and stock were not touched, but it will cost hundreds of pound to carry out repairs and upgrade security there.

She said: "We are desperately trying to save money because we have had our funding reduced. It’s absolutely devastating. We are trying to pinch to save every single penny and someone does this."

Her colleague discovered there had been a break-in on Monday morning. She said: "It’s upsetting walking around finding more and more damage then coming into the office and finding out they took a safe full of money."

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The spot where the safe was ripped from the wall

The garden centre was shut for a few hours while forensic police carried out their investigation but has been open as usual since then.

She said: "We are very lucky to have quite dedicated customers. Keep coming back, keep supporting us. We will show the thieves we are not going to stop the service because of them."

She added: "We are here to support people with mental health problems. It makes people feel even more vulnerable."

Investigating officer Richard Hemingway said: "Due to the nature of this offence it is likely the perpetrators would have visited the area in the days prior to the break-in to get an understanding of the layout.

"If you have seen or heard anything suspicious which may connect please share this information with us.

"Burglary is always an upsetting offence for the victim, but what makes this incident even more so is the fact the garden centre is run by a charity providing opportunities for people with mental health issues."

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference 45140097067.

The independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.