Vandals have stolen about £200 from a church in Sandwich.

When the Friends of St Peter’s Church went to empty the donation box on Monday, they found the lock had been broken.

It is believed the box was prised open with a crowbar on Sunday and the money was taken.

Anne Evans, chairman of the Friends of St Peter’s Church, said: “It’s not much money but it is the desecration of the church.

“To take money from a church is nasty and to break in they must have used some force to break in to the reception desk.

“They must have used a crowbar or something. They knew what they were doing.”

Mrs Evans said she believed the theft happened between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, when the church was open to the public.

She said: “It’s just sad to think there are people in the town who are prepared to do that.

“It must have been somebody local or somebody who has watched the church and perhaps knows when it is most quiet.

“People are in and out of the place. There must have been more than one of them to watch if anyone was coming.”

Cash from the donation box, which is expected to total about £200, goes straight to the churches conservation trust which funds vital maintenance.

Police confirmed they received a report of theft at the church in St Peter’s Street, Sandwich, on Sunday, September 7.

A spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident.”

If anyone has any information please call Kent Police on 101.