Food store overwhelmed by community's support after break-in

Staff at a food store in Sudbury have been left overwhelmed by the level of community support following a late-night burglary.

Thieves stole a safe containing the entire week’s takings, along with charity donations collected for a mental health charity, after breaking into Rafi’s Spicebox in North Street.

Marketing and communications co-ordinator Jasmine Chappell said the incident had impacted the whole team.

“They were shocked and disheartened,” she said.

Mrs Chappell praised the community for their support, which she said had proved crucial in boosting the team’s morale.

“We’ve held our heads up and have come back fighting,” she said.

Since the incident, which took place at some point between Saturday, September 28, and Monday, September 30, customers have helped the business to replenish the stolen charity donations for Suffolk Mind, with £90 raised so far.

Mrs Chappell said the team had been left humbled by the community’s goodwill.

“In these times, you see the world is full of good people,” she said. “It really restores faith in humanity.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Mind praised the collective efforts of both the business and community.

“We’re so pleased by the support from Rafi’s Spicebox and the community of Sudbury – it’s great to see everyone coming together at such a difficult time,” she said.

“Suffolk Mind has been supported by the team at Rafi’s Spicebox throughout the year and we’d like to say a big thank you to them for continuing to do so.”

Anyone with any information which could assist Sudbury Police with their inquiries into the theft is asked to call the non-emergency number on 101, quoting crime reference 37/59742/19.