UPSET café owner Caroline Witham has hit out at a ‘mindless’ break-in on Portland where thieves took nothing but boiled eggs.

Thieves kicked in the locked door of Blue Water Café at Ferry Bridge, damaged padlocks on the window shutters, moved the till and then ignored homemade cakes, crisps and sweets to steal four hard-boiled eggs.

Mrs Witham said the attack on her family’s newly-established business was ‘upsetting’ but they were determined to keep going and opened for business the following day.

She said: “They kicked in the metal door, which was pointing out to sea and broke the keep of the lock.

“The vandals gained access to the café. They also cut some padlocks off the window shutters and moved the till.

“There was no money on the premises as this is removed each day and none of the stock was taken. It was absolutely mindless.

“Although it could’ve been a lot worse, they caused quite a bit of damage and it cost £100 to replace the lock.

“The strange part is that there were crisps, sweets and homemade cakes but all they took was about four hard-boiled eggs.

“There was no money on site but they had obviously moved the till to see what was in it.”

The cafe opened at Easter and recently expanded its weekend opening times to run from Tuesday to Sunday during the school holidays.

The café’s temporary structure is based at the Blue Water Horizons boat yard and Mrs Witham runs it with her husband, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. The break-in happened overnight on Tuesday July 26 and Mrs Witham said a friend who had been helping out was the first to discover it.

Mrs Witham said: “My friend was fantastic and said ‘We’ll carry on and open up as usual.’ “It was just such a shame that a business we’d worked hard to set up should be hindered by something like this.

“We don’t want to claim on our insurance because that affects your premium.

“It’s such a shame these people are making businesses pay for their silly antics.

“I want to warn other people to be vigilant and to say these vandals are out there – it’s important to report these things, but we’re not going to let it affect us.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We had a report on Wednesday July 28 at 9.30am that an unknown offender had entered the café. At that time nothing appeared to have been taken. Entry was gained via the front door and damage was caused to the door.

“Officers attended, no arrests have yet been made and we’re appealing for anyone with information to come forward.”

Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to call police on 01305 222222.