STAFF at a family-run cafe have been left devastated after being raided by thieves for the second time in just over a year.

The manager of Witney’s Church Green Kitchen, Andrew Brewer, has said he feels like he’s back at square one after spending six months recovering from the previous break-in.

On Wednesday night, two men prised open the window to the cafe and made off with two safes containing cash and iPads.

The incident follows a similar raid in September last year in which burglars similarly broke in and stole money and tablets.

Mr Brewer said he was stunned to arrive at the cafe, in Market Square, on Thursday morning and discover the break-in.

He said: “When I came in that morning I just thought: ‘not again’. Then I thought that it was okay because all the money was stored in the safe – but I went in and realised both the safes had been taken.

“All of the staff are really frustrated and annoyed. We all work really hard so it’s a shame to think someone has just ripped all that hard work to pieces.

“It took us a good half-a-year to recover from the last time and now we’re back to square one.”

The windows were found to have been prised open with a crowbar, which Mr Brewer said left everything other than the glass broken.

Once inside, the two thieves used tools to remove two safes containing two iPads, which are used as tills in the cafe, and what is estimated to be just less than £1,000 in cash.

A very similar incident was discovered on Saturday, September 17, when Mr Brewer arrived at work and found the windows had been prised open.

Thieves made their way into the building and stole iPads and more than £1,000 from the till.

The café tightened up security as a result of the first break-in. CCTV was installed on the property and money was no longer left in tills overnight.

Church Green Kitchen was closed yesterday morning while Mr Brewer and other staff cleaned the cafe and worked with police.

Mr Brewer bought the cafe three years ago with his father, Arnold Brewer, and his dad’s friend, Steven Cowen.

Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Jessica Rodgerson said that one of the safes had been recovered .

She added: “Anyone who has any information about the incident should call police on 101 quoting reference number 43170280009.”