CCTV footage shows the moment a safe containing up to £900 was stolen from a community centre.

It was taken from Castle Connections in Well Road, Queenborough, and staff have now released the images.

A pair of burglars are seen on camera pulling loose the security grille at reception before one of them goes straight for the item under the desk.

The caretaker later arrived to find the front door had been smashed open and the safe, which also contained confidential documents, was gone.

The raid happened at about 1.30am on Thursday, September 25.

Trustees, staff and volunteers, though shocked by the break-in, took the decision to carry on with a regular lunch for the Autumn Leaves group the next day.

But preparations were delayed to allow a forensic officer to survey the crime scene.

Visitors and customers in the cafe also helped to clear the mess and to make up for lost time by helping to prepare the hall for the meal.

Shirley West from the Autumn Leaves group said: "I think it is horrendous to target a centre that works only to make people happy."

Stan Rayfield, chairman of the trustees of the charity which runs Castle Connections, added: "This has been a nasty shock. It will cause our already hard-pressed team a lot of extra work, but we will pull through."

Centre director Betty Allsworth is asking people to be on the look out for the safe.

She said: "It's the community's money. I simply do not understand stealing in the first place but stealing from a community like Queenborough is sheer wickedness."

She thanked staff, volunteers and friends for all of their help and support.

Video: Burglars steal a safe from the community centre

Police were called at 7.55am to a report of a burglary at the property, and a spokesman said inquiries were ongoing.

Anyone with any information is asked to ring Castle Connections on 01795 661277, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the police on 101, quoting reference XY/034119/14.