The owner of a community café was "devastated" to find thieves had burgled her business for the second time this year.
Suzanne Rippon, who owns The Quirky Cafe in Hoylake, said she "did not want to come into work" this morning after thieves broke in and stole charity donations the day before. Suzanne said she came into work yesterday, Thursday, November 17 at around 8am but found the business, on Market Street, had been broken into and burgled.
Suzanne told the ECHO she did not notice anything wrong when she entered the café apart from the bins near a window had been moved. The shutters around the windows where Suzanne believes the thieves gained entry had been closed and secured.
READ MORE: Heartless owner makes French bulldog run behind car for 'exercise'
But the owner said she "immediately froze" when she was setting up for the day and noticed the till on the floor. During the break in cash from the till and from the charity donation boxes were taken. Suzanne told the ECHO : "Everything was how I had left it.
"The thieves had almost been respectful about the way they had done it. They had even put the lids back on the donation tins."
The Quirky Cafe is part of The Life Tree - a community interest company that aims to provide support to vulnerable people in the local area. The café was the target of a burglary in August this year where cash was stolen from the till. Suzanne fears the business may have been targeted by the same people as before.
Suzanne said: "It's really sad. If the people who burgled us were struggling for money we would have helped them if we could. The money taken from the donation tins was to help feed people this Christmas. I can't afford to put that money back.
"We help anyone we can - one woman recently came in who we had to take to hospital because she couldn't afford to eat. The donations go to help people like her. It's taken away my confidence. I feel like I can't do it anymore - but I've got to dust myself off and carry on going."
Suzanne said "the police have been really helpful" and thanked the community around her, adding: "The community is my family. They are the ones who made me get up this morning - they make me want to make the Quirky Cafe the best I possibly can."
Wirral Chief Inspector Tom Welch said: "To steal from any charity is completely reprehensible and we’re determined to find the person responsible. We encourage people to come forward if you know anything about a burglary or someone acting suspicious in your area, either directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers. We act on all information provided."
A Merseyside Police spokesperson added: "We are appealing for information following a report of a burglary at a café in Hoylake. At around 8am on Thursday, November 17, we received a report of a break-in overnight at a cafe on Market Street.
"During the burglary, charity cash donation boxes and [money from] a cash till were taken. Enquiries are ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. If you have any information about this incident, contact us @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with reference 22000844233."
READ NEXT:
Thug stabbed man in front of families after row at pub's beach party
Mysterious building exposed on Liverpool street after years hidden behind hoardings
Paul McCartney's favourite sandwich is very condiment heavy
DWP Universal Credit and PIP claimants to get up to £824 extra cash
Steven Gerrard's two word response as Wayne Rooney wins career award
