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RSPCA shop in Church Road, Willesborough, Ashford, targeted by thief

A charity shop manager has branded a thief "sad" after he smashed a glass door to steal donations.

Ian Jubb woke up at 7am this morning to the news the RSPCA shop in Church Road, Willesborough, which he manages had been broken in to.

The 36-year-old said an empty till along with cabinets of jewellery were taken.

A thief smashed the front of the shop in Church Road, Willesborough, to get inside. Picture: Ian Jubb
A thief smashed the front of the shop in Church Road, Willesborough, to get inside. Picture: Ian Jubb

The shop raises money for the Ashford Garden Cattery, which has helped re-home thousands of cats and kittens since it opened in 2006.

Mr Jubb said: "It happened just after 5am.

"A local member of the public reported it to the police after they saw the shop's front door was smashed.

"The glass of the door was broken so they could get in a take what they wanted.

A littler of eight kittens that was once helped by the RSPCA's Ashford Garden Cattery. Picture: Gary Browne
A littler of eight kittens that was once helped by the RSPCA's Ashford Garden Cattery. Picture: Gary Browne

"They had smashed their way through and then climbed inside."

Mr Jubb added while the suspect was stealing the till they left the plug behind which means it could not be sold on and is now useless.

He added: "There is no money left in the shop over night. The only thing I can think of is they must have thought there might be float money or something more in there.

"I just think that it is really sad that they are targeting shops especially charity shops, hopefully they will be found.

The shop in Church Road, Willesborough, Ashford. Picture: Google
The shop in Church Road, Willesborough, Ashford. Picture: Google

"A few of our volunteers have been in this morning to help clear up."

'I just think that it is really sad that they are targeting shops especially charity shops, hopefully they will be found' - Ian Jubb, shop manager

To make people aware of what had happened Mr Jubb posted a picture of the damaged door on social media.

"The public have been really supportive. The money we make in the shop is used to run the cattery which we operate in Station Road so incidents like this take away from the work we do there."

Although there is no CCTV installed in the store, police have released a description of a man they want to speak to.

The man is white, 5ft 4ins, slim built and he was wearing a hooded top.

It is thought he rode away along Hythe Road on a small bicycle.

Anyone with information that can help should contact Kent Police on 01843 222 289 quoting reference ZY/784/17.

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