A charity which helps the homeless and victims of domestic violence has been targeted by thieves.

Second Chance Medway, a homeless prevention and food security scheme, provides housing support and food donations for people at its community hub in Chatham.

Its building in the town’s high street was broken into in the early hours of this morning.

The incident saw the site’s front door smashed and £60 stolen from the till.

Meat fridges were also emptied and large canisters of baby milk taken.

A GoFundMe page has since been created to help the group raise some money for CCTV and a new shutter for the shop.

CEO Penny Keevil said: “I came straight down this morning after getting a phone call to find the front panel was smashed with glass everywhere.

"They smashed the till and stole about £60 in cash, emptied the fridges and freezers and took the household items we have, so they went for all the expensive things.

“As a community supermarket we help people who can’t afford to shop regularly in places like Tesco.

“So it’s totally unfair what has happened, and they even had the audacity to try and clear my desk out the back looking for more money.

"It’s just devastating and bewildering that someone would rob a charity shop for people who can’t afford to feed themselves.

"We just don’t know why anybody would this? All we do is go out of our way to help people.

“To try and fix the front of the store alone, we have been quoted £395 plus VAT."

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police received a report of a burglary at a commercial premises in Chatham High Street at 9.09am on Saturday, August 19 2023.

“The incident is believed to have taken place overnight and money and various items were reported stolen. Enquiries are ongoing.”

The charity was founded in 2015 by Penny Keevil and staffed by five volunteers and eight trustees.

It sells fresh, supermarket quality food for discounted prices through their food aid project – which is open from Monday to Saturday through appointment bookings.

In May last year they estimated they were looking after about 2,000 people and their families.

The community centre is the second location the charity runs having recently opened a community centre in Brompton Hill, Chatham.