A popular town shop was ransacked after being targeted in the latest spate of burglaries.

Charity collection boxes for Kent Association for the Blind, Demelza Hospice Care for Children and Marie Curie Cancer Care were snatched from the Central Pie Shop in East Street, Sittingbourne, sometime between January 17-19.

Other items taken during the break-in were two plastic ice cream tubs full of copper coins worth approximately £100; a tip pot which contained £7; lottery money worth £28; £120 in a cash bag and £30 from the till.

An HW80 .22 air rifle with carry case also went missing. Reference XY/002109/15.

The intruders got in by kicking in the wooden back door.

Diane Long, the granddaughter of the founder of the business, said: “My late grandfather’s bureau was trashed, all for a few coins. What pathetic thieves.

“They obviously have no feelings. Let’s hope that they don’t need any help from a charity in their lifetimes.”

Insp Evan Jones, of the Swale Local District Policing Team, said: “Any burglary is deplorable, but to steal boxes containing money intended for charity is particularly appalling.’”

Police are also investigating a report of a burglary with intent to steal at the Gore Court Cricket Club in Key Street.

It happened at around 9.40pm on January 15 and officers are keen to hear from anyone who might have seen a dark grey vehicle, possibly a saloon, which was in the area at the time of the incident. Reference XY/001797/15.

For the last 26 months, more than 780 burglaries and attempted break-ins across Sittingbourne have been brought to the News Extra’s attention.

The latest incidents are:

Several chainsaws and replacement chains stolen from a workshop at Highsted Farm, Highsted Valley, Rodmersham between January 15-16 – XY/001746/15.

Between January 10-13, a set of golf clubs, a golf watch and a chainsaw, taken from a garage in Hearts Delight, Borden –XY/001533/15.

Money was stolen from the office area at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course, Oak Lane, Upchurch, between 8am and noon on January 11 –XY/001388/15.

Several large bins of horse feed stolen from Hop Bine Stables, Bull Lane, Newington, on January 18 –XY/002074/15.

Various IT items and a purse stolen during a burglary in Lance Close, Kemsley, between January 12-13 – XY/001389/15.

Two bicycles stolen from a domestic garage in Merleburgh Drive, Kemsley, between January 17-18 – XY/002023/15.

An Alto pressure washer and a tractor battery taken from a barn in Hearts Delight Road, Tunstall, between 4pm and 10.50pm on January 14 – XY/001592/15.

A handbag was stolen during a burglary in Woodcourt Close, Sittingbourne, between January 12-13 – XY/001531/15.

On January 12, between 6.40am and 4.50pm, a burglary and incident of criminal damage took place in London Road, Sittingbourne – XY/001335/15.

Two trials motorbikes were taken from a garden shed in Frederick Street, Sittingbourne, between January 14-15 –XY/001662/15.

Between January 17-18, a Trax mountain bike was stolen from a garden shed in Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne – XY/002034/15.

An attempted burglary in The Street, Bredgar, happened between January 18-19 –XY/002133/15.

A central heating boiler was stolen from a new-build property in Red Admiral Crescent, Iwade, between 12.50pm and 1.30pm on January 18 – XY/002248/15.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting the crime number or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.