“THE lowest of the low” is how a Witney shopkeeper has described thieves who stole a charity jar for victims of the Pakistan floods.

The owners of Newslink, who are originally from Pakistan, had collected almost £100 in the jar when the thieves struck at the newsagents, in Corn Street. Nothing else was stolen.

They have passed to police CCTV images showing the men who were in the shop at the time.

Tahir and Shahida Akram think that while their 18-year-old daughter Esha was selling cigarettes to a customer, the jar was taken from beside another till.

The theft happened at 7.40pm on Saturday. Father-of-four Mr Akram, 45, said: “They are just the lowest of the low.”

Mr Akram said that the thief was wearing a hooded top and had an accomplice with him, who distracted his daughter by buying cigarettes. Police also want to speak to a third man who was in the shop.

At the beginning of August, Pakistan suffered the worst floods in 80 years. Oxfam believes more than 12 million people have been affected and that the disaster has killed at least 1,600 people.

Mrs Akram moved to England 23 years ago from her home in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where most of her family still lives and has been affected by the floods. Fortunately, they have all survived.

Mrs Akram, 43, had donated £65 to the collection pot and said customers had given generously.

Mr Akram, who has owned the newsagents for four years, added: “Those people in Pakistan have lost everything, they have no homes, no food, no water, some have lost family members.

“What did the thieves steal it for – to feed a habit? I just couldn’t believe it.”

Call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 if you have any information.