A food distributor that delivers essential supplies to hospitals and schools was broken into by burglars.
The thieves also broke into seven vans and stole diesel which left the owner "absolutely mortified".
The shocking incident happened on the JR Holland Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, on Sunday night.
JR Holland has been working tirelessly to get fresh produce to public services feeling the strain amid the coronavirus pandemic, including the NHS.
Owner John Holland described the scene to ChronicleLive : "The yard’s been broken into through steel pallion fencing.
"They’ve smashed the fencing, smashed the tops of seven wagons, stolen the diesel and spilled it all over the yard."
Mr Holland said he was told about the incident at 4am on Monday, which left drivers with no work.
"You could almost live with the theft but it’s the damage to the vehicles, which makes them unserviceable when there’s people going without," he said.
“At this moment in time the demand is colossal for hospitals and schools.
“When I found out this morning at 4am I was mortified, it was horrendous.
“We are a business at the end of the day, but we do provide a service to the community.
“We’re trying to keep people in work and this morning there were drivers with nothing to do.”
The firm’s security cameras show doors to two of the vans opening at around 5pm, but it’s believed the thieves came back later to siphon off diesel from seven of the 36 vans.”
Mr Holland said: “Luckily we have been able to get someone out this morning to work on the vans, but it’s been a huge setback, just because some toerags have broken in to steal.
“I just think, where’s the wartime spirit?
“There have been some wonderful stories in the past few weeks but then you’ve got things like this happening, and it’s so sad.”
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for information after a report of a theft from a premises on Duke's way, Team Valley.
"At some point between 2pm on Saturday (March 21) and 6pm Sunday (March 22), it was reported unknown offenders have gained access into the compound and stolen a quantity of fuel.
"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information about this incident is asked to email 9676@northumbria.pnn.police.uk quoting log 152 230320."
