Charity shop bosses have revealed how they are counting the cost after being targeted by thieves over the course of two weekends.

The British Heart Foundation’s electrical and furniture store in West Street, Sittingbourne, was first broken into overnight on July 30-31. A cash tin which didn’t contain any money was taken.

The second break-in happened overnight on August 10-11 during which £250 worth of furniture and electrical items were taken including a flatscreen TV, two pairs of hair straighteners, an electric screwdriver and a DVD player.

It’s understood the back door was damaged on both occasions.

Total cost of the damage and items taken is estimated at £1,250.

People are now being urged to have a clear-out of any unwanted household goods such as sofas, beds, dining tables, wardrobes and TVs so the store can try and recoup some of the loss.

Area manager Mike Giblin said: “We absolutely rely on the support of the Sittingbourne community to keep us running and without their help we risk reducing funding for vital research into heart disease.”

Since last November, the News Extra has been made aware of more than 315 burglaries and attempted break-ins in the Sittingbourne area.

Some of the latest incidents include: Two allotment sheds broken into at Playstool Road, Newington, overnight July 28-29. Nothing was taken –- XY/023474/13, XY/023490/13.

A quad bike and archery equipment stolen from a barn in Wormdale Hill, Newington, overnight July 30 and August 1 – XY/023760/13.

An iPad was stolen from a property in Austin Close, Kemsley, at 11am on Tuesday, July 30 – XY/023527/13.

An off-road motorbike and helmet were stolen from a garden shed in Kenilworth Court, Sittingbourne, between July 27-29 – XY/023373/13.

A watch and £50 were taken from an address in Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne, between 2pm and 8pm on Sunday, August 4 – XY/024054/13.

A burglary occurred in Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne, on Friday, August 2. Nothing was reported missing – XY/023927/13.

Seven pocket watches were taken from a house in Fern Walk, Murston, just after 9am on Sunday, August 4 – XY/024148/13.

Thieves were disturbed as they tried to break in to a shed in Glebe Lane, Sittingbourne, during the early hours of August 3 – XY/024139/13.

An air gun and a Toshiba computer were taken from an address in Easton Drive, Great East Hall, between 8pm and 11.18pm on Monday, August 5 – XY/024324/13.

A burglary occurred in College Road, Sittingbourne, between August 2-5 – XY/024297/13.

Three bicycles were stolen from a garden shed in Burley Road, Sittingbourne, overnight on August 9-10 – XY/025020/13.

An attempted burglary occurred in Newbridge Avenue, Milton Regis, overnight August 8 -9 – XY/024841/13.

• Anyone with information is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting the relevant reference number.