Devastated managers have spoken of their shock after heartless thieves broke into a Herne Bay nursery.

Police are now investigating after Kiddies Corner Day Care in Stanley Road was targeted overnight.

Thieves broke into the building’s office, stealing a laptop, camera, money tin, safe and mobile phone.

Manager Justine Cohen, who has worked at the nursery for nine years, said: “Everyone is devastated and feels very shocked and upset that they would target a nursery that looks after young children.

“It’s very sad and upsetting.

“Our girls work really hard to look after the children – they all put in lots of extra hours to look after the kids and this is really upsetting.

“The parents are obviously very shocked.”

The nursery has 40 children on its books and did open today.

A laptop and phone with photos of the children was stolen, but only a few images were on the devices.

It comes just weeks after the Avenue Nursery in Kings Road was broken into and hundreds of photographs on USB sticks were stolen.

Mrs Cohen added: “Nothing stops us looking after the children.

“When the girls came to work in the morning they realised we had been broken into.

“They took my laptop which had photos of the children on it and all my work for the nursery which is worth more than money to me because there’s hours of work on there.

“It’s locked and password protected so hopefully they can’t access it.”

Police spokesman Scarlet Jones said an investigation is now underway.

She said: “We are investigating a report of a burglary at premises in Stanley Road, Herne Bay.

“Following the incident, which took place between 6pm on Monday, February 29 and 8am on Tuesday, March 1 doors were damaged, and cash and equipment including a laptop were reported missing.

“Inquiries are ongoing."