A SOUTHAMPTON community cafe has been left to fundraise to foot the £1,500 repair bill of a second break-in within a month.

Friends of St James’ Park cafe has suffered a string of burglaries, with the non-profit venue struggling to pay the repair bill.

The latest came in the early hours of August 25 when burglars broke through doors and took cash from the till.

Cafe director Barrie Worth said: “We only had to shut for one day, but that was over the summer bank holiday weekend, so that was about £750 profit that we missed.”

The premises was previously broken into on July 27.

Barrie added: “The first time they got into the community room. This time they came through the front door and got into the community room where we had an art exhibition.

“Miraculously, nothing was damaged. They did hammer through the door into the rear of the building to the office and store room.

“They tried to get through that with a chisel, and I know that because they left the chisel behind.”

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: “Entry was forced into the cafe through the front door, and the cash till inside was removed from its position and thrown on the floor.

“The till was empty, and nothing has been reported stolen.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting 44170328897.

The cafe has started an online fundraising page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/parklifecafe,