Burglars caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage just to steal cans of drinks from a small-town sandwich shop.

Police are investigating the break-in at Fillers cafe in Whitstable Road, Faversham.

Business owner Gary Mogridge says for the petty nature of the crime, it has caused him and his staff a great deal of trouble.

“I hope they realise the inconvenience they’ve caused,” said Mr Mogridge, 55.

“They threw a paving stone through the front window and stole some cases of Coke.

“We hadn’t been trading for a few days so there was no cash or anything in the store, I had just bought the drinks from the cash and carry the day before.

“In 15 years of running this shop, we’ve never had anything like this happen.”

Between damage to the storefront flooring and having to replace the broken glass, the shopkeeper says he will have to pay hundreds of pounds in repairs.

“I hope they realise the inconvenience they’ve caused...”

The Canterbury resident added that he would have to close the shop for a day for the work to be done and thanked his customers in advance for enduring the inconvenience.

A police spokesperson said: “Kent Police is investigating a burglary at a business in Whitstable Road, Faversham.

“The incident was discovered by officers who responded to an alarm at the premises, at around 10am on Monday 1 January 2024.

“Damage had been caused to the front door and the constables completed a search at the scene.

“Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to call the Kent Police appeal line on 01795 419119, quoting reference number 46/364/24.

Mr Mogridge says his store has now been fitted with CCTV cameras.