CHRISTMAS cards were “torn open and discarded” following a suspected raid on a post box in Rayleigh.
The cards were spotted by a shocked resident on the corner of Danbury Road and London Road.
The incident has sparked anger in the community.
Images shared on social media showed the damaged cards and envelopes discarded on the pavement.
Royal Mail has launched an investigation over fears a pot box was "compromised" and raided in the run-up to Christmas because of backlogs of letters caused by strike action
It comes as Royal Mail workers are striking ahead of Christmas, and tens of thousands joined in London on Friday for a rally and protest.
A post on Facebook reads: “Sadly, it looks like the post box on the corner of Danbury Road and London Road has been raided!
“Lots of torn-open discarded cards in Danbury Road that won’t reach their destination.”
A woman, who came across the discarded letters, said: “I was so upset to see all the cards, some with long heartfelt messages, strewn across the pavement. “The person who did this was either desperate, or totally disrespectful. “I just hope the senders see this so they can resend any important messages to their loved ones.”
Danielle Belton, councillor for Hockley and Ashingdon, said it was the sort of incident not needed on top of the impact of the strikes.
She said: “I am disappointed people would be so mindless. I have seen this in the past but a long time ago.
“I think post boxes are pretty robust but at a time when Royal Mail workers are on strike and we are suffering as a result this sort of thing adds to the problem.
“At Christmas people are sending gifts and cards and this could be someone chancing it to see if they can get anything.
“At this time of year we should be looking out for each other not causing more problems to an already-fraught Royal Mail service.”
The Facebook post has numerous comments also blasting the alleged bad behaviour too.
On Friday, Parliament Square in the city was turned pink with 15,000 staff and members from the Communication Workers Union.
It comes as the workers began six days and were on strike last Friday and Sunday with more planned on Wednesday, Thursday, as well as December 23 and 24.
A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "The postbox was fuller than usual due to CWU strike action. As soon as the situation was reported to the local delivery office, we immediately emptied the postbox and processed the mail.
"The security of the mail is of paramount importance to Royal Mail. We are investigating reports as to whether some mail may have been compromised."