RSPCA Medway West branch in Wells Road, Strood issues plea after being targeted by vandals
15:41, 12 March 2024
A charity is having to divert vital funds towards building repairs after repeatedly coming under attack by thoughtless thugs.
The RSPCA's Medway West branch say some of the money it has raised to help treat sickly animals in their care is now having to be used to repair a broken window.
Staff discovered the damage at their charity shop in Wells Road, Strood when they opened on Saturday morning (March 9). It is believed someone threw a brick at the window.
The incident comes just a couple of weeks after the store reported an attempted break-in.
Shop manager Emma Smith says her team contacted the police following the latest attack and she is now urging those responsible to stop targeting the store.
"It's upsetting," the 50-year-old told KentOnline. "We just want to be left alone and to help raise as much funds as we can for the clinic.
"People have targeted the shop a few times now, so they must be bored and think 'let's throw a brick'.
"Nobody thinks about the consequences of what they are doing.
"It would be lovely if we could have CCTV, especially in the car park, for safety but we can't afford it."
According to a statement released by the charity yesterday (March 11) some of the money used to care for animals at its treatment clinic in Walderslade Road, Chatham, will now have to go towards repairing the damage.
The centre treats animals including cats, dogs, reptiles and guinea pigs.
It read: "We need your help. We now need to the replace the window and fix the damage caused by the attempted break in.
"This means funds used to care for the animals at the branch will now need to be used to fix this damage.
"We are asking for your help to raise funds towards the cost of these repairs to our shop to help us keep helping the animals in our care.
"Any contribution no matter how small would be gratefully received."
To contribute to the fundraiser click here.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident but police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
A spokeswoman for the force said: "Police were called at 11.32am on Saturday to a report a shop window had been broken in Wells Road.
"No suspects have been identified, [but] if any new information is received, officers will carry out further inquiries."
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