Sutton residents have rallied to help raise hundreds for the owners of a popular deli after it was broken into twice within a week.

Thieves broke into The Deli @ 65 on High Street and caused damage to fridges, freezers and locks on Sunday December 3. They also stole hundreds of pounds worth of food and alcohol. They then returned on Friday December 8, stealing the till, locks, food and drink.

A JustGiving fundraising page was then set up last week to help the local business and £585 has so far been raised.

Owner Karen Scott said: “They came back on Friday and took the till. Luckily, I don’t keep any money on the premises any way. I’m getting an alarm system and CCTV fitted tomorrow to increase the security.

“The people in the village have been so supportive, there’s such a good community spirit here. But it’s annoying that people have had to pay out of their pockets because others think they can ruin people’s lives and livelihoods.

“These people just don’t realise how they are affecting the people they are doing it to. Financially is bad enough, but emotionally it’s a horrible feeling as well.

“I’ve been here for a year and a half and everything’s been fine. I had never felt like anyone was snooping about.”

Sarah Middleton, a resident who regularly eats at The Deli @ 65 and set up the crowd-funding page with a target of £500, said: “The Deli is a meeting point for so many, and has been generous to local charities. It’s important we help each other.

“The recent break in saw a lot of stock taken, which has put a lot of pressure on the small business.”

The Deli has been open since 2014, when the owners converted the old butchers shop into a delicatessen

Donors left messages of support on the Just Giving page.

One wrote: “Sorry to hear the bad news. I hope you get the Deli up and running soon.”

Another said: “Looking forward to my next expresso and egg on toast.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called to two reports of break-ins. The first happened overnight on December 3-4 and then overnight December 8-9.

“In the first the chiller was broken into and hundreds of pounds worth of food and drink, including Prosecco and cheeses, were stolen.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/suttonvillagedelifund