THE crime rate must be getting bad in Bass Coast if a bizarre incident overnight on Monday night this week is anything to go by.

Police have been called to the Wonthaggi Transfer Waste and Recycling Centre, at 180 Cameron Street, Wonthaggi, after thieves gained entry to the tip site and broke into the site office, leaving a mess in their wake.

It is unknown what else they took from the local rubbish dump.

Customers to the tip on Tuesday morning were surprised to see receival staff working from a table at the front of their office, while waiting for Wonthaggi police to complete their investigations including gathering evidence.

It is understood that the four alleged offenders were caught on CCTV giving police plenty to go on.

As no cash is kept on the premises, staff were at a loss to say what the offenders were hoping to get away with from the local tip.