A Rochester charity shop has been broken into during the early hours of yesterday by thieves who stole the safe containing the weekend takings.

Police were called at about 5.50am to a report of a break-in at the Sue Ryder Care charity shop in High Street.

When staff went to open up the shop later, they discovered the safe containing £557 was missing.

Staff say they think a brick was used to smash a glass panel in the door and the thieves gained entry into the shop.

The police had earlier boarded up the smashed door and, when staff arrived at about 8.30am, they discovered the safe and cash had been stolen.

It is not the first time the shop has been targeted by thieves. In January, a man went into the shop and distracted a member of staff and reached over the counter to open the till.

He snatched a small amount of cash before fleeing. The incident happened between noon and 4pm on Tuesday, January 14, and was reported to police.

"I can't imagine why someone would ever do something like this, especially to a shop that helps raise funds for a good cause and has been at the heart of the local community for eight years..." - Sam Leahy, from Sue Ryder

The shop has been open in Rochester and raising money for good causes for the past eight years. Staff say being targeted twice in less than two months is very sad.

Sam Leahy, area manager for Sue Ryder, said: "I can't imagine why someone would ever do something like this, especially to a shop that helps raise funds for a good cause and has been at the heart of the local community for eight years.

"All the money raised from the shop helps Sue Ryder to provide expert and compassionate care to people living with end of life and long-term conditions such as cancer, stroke, brain injury, dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Motor Neurone Disease.

"We couldn't continue to provide those services without the support of the local community and shops like this that play an important role to help raise vital funds for the charity.

"We welcome any donations to help us support the Sue Ryder charity shop in Rochester."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "We received a report of a distraction burglary at the Sue Ryder charity shop in High Street, Rochester, on January 14.

"It was reported between 12pm and 4pm a quantity of cash was missing from the shop's till."

On this week's break-in, the spokesman added: "It was reported entry was gained to the Sue Ryder charity shop in High Street and a search carried out, inquiries are ongoing."

Last week, a nearby florist was also broken into just yards away from the charity shop.

Police was called at 8.20am on Wednesday, February 26, to reports a burglary had happened at the Ginger Lily florist on Star Hill.

The police spokesman added: "A front window was smashed at Ginger Lily on Star Hill and a camera and a small quantity of cash reported missing. Detectives from Kent Police’s burglary unit are carrying out inquiries."

If you would like to support the Sue Ryder charity shop in Rochester, take any donations of unwanted good quality items directly to the shop or if you are interested in volunteering a few hours, please call 01634 880461.

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