Raiders caused more than £2,000 of damage to a bespoke cake decorating business – only to walk away with Capri-Sun drinks and chocolate.

Police are investigating the burglary at the Whitstable Cake Company, where thieves smashed a hole in the ceiling to force their way into the shop.

The owners of the store in Church Street, Whitstable, say they have had to close to the public, leaving them "really far behind" with client orders for weddings, birthdays and christenings.

Sonja Weed, who co-runs the store with Jo Ryan, said: "Our CCTV footage caught them walking around the front of the building.

"They went round the back, climbed up onto the roof and ripped a hole. They went through into the loft cavity then punched a hole through our ceiling.

"They ransacked the place searching for cash – which we don’t keep on-site so they didn’t get anything – and then let themselves out of the window.

"They stole some internal cameras and caused significant damage to things like the printers and till drawer."

Mrs Weed estimates more than £2,000 worth of damage has been caused to the store.

The roof had to be repaired and there is a "significant" hole in the ceiling.

The burglars stole security cameras, chocolate and Capri Sun drinks during the raid, which is understood to have taken place between Tuesday afternoon and 9.20am on Wednesday.

Mrs Weed added: "It is awful. We have had to shut and can’t open to the public at the moment.

"We do afternoon teas and bespoke cakes for people. We are really far behind with our client orders for people who have weddings, birthdays and christenings coming up.

"When people employ us to make their cake, it is an important occasion and we have never let anyone down."

A police spokesman confirmed they are investigating the burglary and inquiries are ongoing.

"The offence is believed to have taken place between the afternoon of Tuesday and 9.20am on Wednesday," they added.

Officers urge anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage which may assist to contact them on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/230138/21, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form.

It is the second shop to be targeted by burglars in the Whitstable area within days.

An RSPCA branch "full to the brim" with cats needing significant treatment launched a desperate appeal after one of its charity shops was raided.

Police are investigating the burglary at the store in Tankerton in which thieves forced entry and stole all of the cash earned over the weekend.

The bars on the window were ripped off and the glass was smashed before the safe was then pulled out and prised open, leaving dust and debris all over the floor.

In total, £360 in cash was stolen from the safe but the cost of the damage caused to the store in Tankerton Road is not yet known.

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