'Burglars stole food from our food bank'

A food bank has said it is "shocked and shaken" after it was broken into twice in two months.

Lloyd Cummins said Brighton Food Bank, part of Brighton and Hove City Mission in Stanley Road, lost some £3,000 worth of laptops, phones, electronic items and even food in the latest incident.

"It feels like a violation when someone comes into your space and takes items that you really rely on to work," the head of the charity told the BBC.

"We're here as a charity, we're here to help people, we're here to serve."

He added: "When those items are taken, it deeply affects what we're able to do for our community around us."

Two doors were damaged during the most recent break in on 23 March, including the entrance door and the door to the office.

Cummins said the theft of food was "sad in itself".

"If they were in that much need that they have to steal, they could have used our service legitimately," he said.

"We don't turn anybody away. And this is why this whole thing is so sad.

"We actually would have been able to help the perpetrators."

Neil Mahon, who uses the food bank, said he could not wrap his "head around what kind of person" would steal from a charity.

"This is not a victimless crime," the 42-year-old added.

"It has horrible repercussions because if places like this are targeted they might shut down.

"I would not be able to feed myself without these folks doing what they do here."

Cummins added the charity, which helped 4,000 people last year, was now looking at getting enhanced security in the building, such as CCTV.

"We don't want this to happen again. It's just really sad."

Sussex Police said both incidents had been reported to the force.

"Officers are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry in an ongoing investigation," a spokesperson said.

Sussex Police said businesses could prevent burglaries by identifying areas vulnerable to forced entry - particularly windows and doors - and making them more secure, ensuring they have a monitored alarm and 24-hour digital CCTV, keeping cash and valuable items off-site or in a safe, and placing sufficient lighting around the premises.

The force has urged anyone who witnessed the incident or who has relevant information such as CCTV or mobile footage to contact them.

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