Volunteers at a Northfleet charity were devastated after vandals broke in and smashed part of their offices.

The incident is believed to have happened over two days, on October 12 and 13, at Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust in Grove Park.

Chairman Conrad Broadley fits in his volunteering in the evenings and weekends, around his full-time job, to help gather research about the 200-year-old harbour.

He described the incident as "very demoralising". 

The 47-year-old told News Shopper: "We set up a volunteer and visitor centre to enable people to come and visit the harbour to have a look at the site and get involved in the archaeology.

"These vandals totally trashed the caravan, threw all our safety barriers into the harbour and demolished the security fencing that we had installed to keep the site and public safe.

"They’ve smashed every single window, a mirror, broke the cooker and ripped cupboard doors off.

"It’s very demoralising. I don’t know what goes on inside their minds - it beggars belief.

"They did some of this on Saturday afternoon and then some more the next day.

"We’re hoping the public can pull together and help us."

Mr Broadley is determined not to be beaten by the vandals.

News Shopper:

He said: "We don’t know what we’ll do about it, how we’ll replace the things but we’ll push on.

"We set up the portacabin so there was somewhere for people to sit and look at the artefacts, as well as providing toilet facilities. It contains the office and stores the finds.

"Long term we want to see the harbour restored as a community facility hosting a whole range of maritime activity from historic boat restoration to sea scouts."

Kent Police are investigating the incident.

A spokeswoman said: "We were called at around 10.45am on October 12 to a report of criminal damage to a caravan in Grove Park, Northfleet. 

"A number of life rings were also believed to have been stolen in the incident. Enquiries are ongoing."

Visit northfleetharbour.org.uk