15237/1GAZETTE & HERALD: CALLOUS thieves pocketed a digital camera and computer game destined to raise vital cash for victims of the tsunami disaster in what has been branded a "cold-hearted attack on the needy."

They struck under the noses of security staff and CCTV cameras in the Emery Gate centre in Chippenham where several items advertising a charity auction were on display in Gilesports' window.

Keith Robins, who spent hours collecting the goods, said it was a sad reflection of life in the 21st century.

"These people in Asia have got nothing," he said. "When some rotten person does something like this it shows what a sick world we live in."

The Hewlett Packard digital camera and XBox game, worth around £200, were donated by businesses to be auctioned at the mAIDe for Asia concert at the Olympiad being backed by the Gazette. Organiser Richard Ellis hopesd to raise £25,000.

Lynn Atwell, who is helping to organise the auction, and whose husband Robert will be the auctioneer appealed for the thieves to leave her a text message on 07970 922917 so she could retrieve the goods.