A shop selling discounted food and household goods to people in need has been burgled for the third time this year.

Bosses from MiCommunity in Duke Street, Margate, woke on Tuesday morning to find someone had broken into their store and made off with merchandise worth £1,000.

The incident caused shop director John Finnegan to question whether it was worth carrying on with the business.

“My first reaction was, ‘What’s the point? We’re not going to defeat them’,” said Mr Finnegan.

“It’s going to take a little while to recuperate the stock to the level it was at before the break-in, but the community has been very good with donations.

“People have been coming forward to say they’re going to do a crown fund. So, with luck, touch wood, we’re going to be okay.”

The shop, which is staffed by volunteers, provides low-price food and household goods for people on benefits and low incomes who may be struggling with the daily costs of living.

It will now have to find the money to replace the stolen stock at a time when soaring energy bills and inflation are already putting a strain on independent businesses.

Data from the British retail consortium and market research group NielsenIQ showed a 10.5% rise in fresh food prices.

The use of food banks has also increased, with charity the Trussel Trust reporting an 81% increase from this time five years ago.

With the cost of food spiralling upwards, Margate county councillor Barry Lewis is not surprised levels of petty crime are going the same way.

“People who commit crime in any form always look at the chances of getting caught,” said Cllr Lewis.

“But with the police cuts and the very low detection rates here, it’s not surprising that people turn to petty crime because if they’re given the choice between petty crime and feeding their children, the choice is very difficult.

"I’m not condoning it; I’m saying this is inevitable because they see big business like gas companies ripping people off.”

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Insp Ian Swallow said: “I urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Duke Street area on Tuesday morning, or who has any information which may assist out investigation to contact us.”