Thieves who stole thousands of pounds worth of specialist power equipment also left a trail of destruction.

A gang targeted Roots Timber Reuse – trashing the workshop, ransacking the office and pouring engine oil over computers and printers.

The community interest, not for profit company uses waste timber from major building developers to make items to sell to the public or donate to charities.

Based in Stoney Lane near Rochester Airport, it also contributes leftover wood to prisons and local schools for work and craft shops.

The overnight raid on Friday, April 23 has impacted on the running of the business as managers struggled to find the money to replace the stolen items.

Among the haul was a generator worth £1,700, several saws valued at £200 each, drills, a sander polisher and a grinder.

They also smashed doors, windows and took keys to vans.

Director Lee Corrigan estimated the total bill to buy new power equipment and for repairs could be as high as £8,000.

He said as the yard was isolated and situated in woodland, CCTV could only capture shadowy figures loading their stash.

He added: "We shut down completely during the first lockdown, but when building sites reopened we returned.

"This is a kick in the teeth for us."

Mr Corrigan thought the intruders must have spent at least an hour at the yard and there would have to have been more than two of them to lift some of the heavy items, including the generator.

Administrator Emma Ashley has set up a fundraising page with a £3,000 target.

She said: "It's not just affected us, but the community who we cannot help until we have replaced what has been stolen."

Police spokesman James Walker said: "A number of power tools are reported to have been stolen and criminal damage was also caused to an office and computing equipment."

Inquiries remain ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call police on 01634 792209 quoting 46/68777/21.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous form.

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