The founder of a group set up to help young people says he is disappointed thieves have targeted the cause for the fourth time, but vowed it won’t hold them back.

Dan Pyke launched Restoration Youth a year ago with the help of funding from Kent County Council to support Island youngsters by providing activities and educational resources.

It is based in Swale council’s former district office in Trinity Road, Sheerness, and since its inception has suffered a spate of break-ins and thefts.

There are around 100 users of the service and a group of them worked hard to renovate the building themselves, painting and plastering it and raising money for the project.

Sometime last Monday or Tuesday, a window was smashed and a thief broke in and stole a locked petty cash tin which had £300 inside.

The tin was inside a locked cupboard which will now have to be replaced and it also cost the group £90 to fix the window.

Money which was taken would have been used on activities and resources for the centre.

The most recent theft comes after lead was stolen from the roof of the building in December, another £50 of cash was taken from a cash tin in May and a landline phone was taken not long after it was launched.

Mr Pyke said: “It’s disappointing and frustrating.

“We are trying to support the community and make a difference and it is disheartening when things like this happen.

“We try to help and it’s like people are trying to stop what we are doing.”

But he said it won’t prevent the good work they are trying to achieve and he’s determined to keep on going.

“We always try to stay positive and resilient,” he said.

“We are pushing forward and not letting it stop us.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 101, quoting crime reference XY/003287/14.