A YOUTH charity and food bank were broken into on one night with valuable equipment stolen.

Didcot Train and Didcot Food Bank were targeted by thieves during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Brian McNamee, the chairman of Didcot Train, said they discovered the back door had been forced open on Sunday afternoon.

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Three laptops, an iPad and a brand new camera were taken from the group, which works with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.

He said: “The food bank had got a message to us to say it had been broken into.

“We got down there around lunchtime and, sure enough, our back door had taken a bit of a hammering.

“They must have used a lever or something because there was a lot of damage.

“It is disappointing somebody would target us.

“I think they probably didn’t know about the work we do.

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“We don’t know what state they are in and they are likely to need help themselves if they are doing this sort of thing.”

Chantal Ligertwood, a volunteer at the food bank, which has been celebrating its 10th anniversary, said nothing had been taken from them but they have had to fix a new lock.

Volunteers and members of the public have rallied around since news of the break-in spread.

Mr McNamee said they had been able to fix the back door during the day on Sunday and made the office safe so staff could open up on Monday as usual.

Near neighbours the Changing Lives charity shop has already donated a laptop and a fundraising page has been set up to help the charity.

He added: “It matters a lot to know that people are behind us - it has kept us going.

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“We will have to look at extra security measures now.

“We are thinking of moving in the longer term so need to strike a balance in terms of how much we invest.”

Police spokesman David Marsh said: “Thames Valley Police is investigating an incident of burglary that took place at a business on Broadway, Didcot, which was reported on Sunday (3/3).

“Officers attended the scene where a property had been broken into.

“No arrests have been made. Any witnesses are asked to call 101, quoting 43190066274.”