A heartless thief has stolen hundreds of pounds from a church charity shop and cafe.

The shocking act happened at the medieval St Peter’s Church in Sandwich, which is now run as a hub by the Churches Conservation Trust, on Tuesday.

The charity operates a cafe, a secondhand shop and offers views from the top of the church tower.

But on Tuesday, while a young volunteer assistant was distracted carrying an item to a car, a sneak thief ransacked both tills of cash and fled unseen.

Hub co-ordinator Annemarie Huigen says it has left the team shocked and dismayed.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time it has happened and we are going to have to be much more vigilant in future,” she said.

“Quite how someone can sink so low as to steal from a church charity shop is very sad.

“The fact is that the money we raise goes not only to supporting the upkeep of the church but also for good causes and helping people in need in the community.

“If the thief needed money so badly, they only had to ask and we might have been able to help.

“Of course, our volunteer who was in the shop at the time, is very upset too, but it’s absolutely no fault of hers.”

The church has been redundant for worship since 1948 but opened as a community hub during the Covid pandemic in 2020.

People in the town have reacted with disgust to the theft, offering donations and sending messages of support in response.

Writing on the St Peter’s Church’s social media page, one person said: “It's really sad that someone would do such a thing, but unfortunately it reflects society today - totally selfish.”

“Disgusted to read this,” said another.

“Absolutely appalling behaviour - what’s the world coming to,” wrote a third person.

Mrs Huigen says she has been comforted by all the messages of support.

“It means a lot to us and we are very grateful,” she said.

Now the charity is considering installing CCTV to give itself better protection.

“It’s really isn’t what we wanted to do, but this is the second time we’ve been robbed and, unfortunately, we are going to have to invest in it.”