Emmaus charity in Norfolk broken into at Ditchingham

Police were called to the charity Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney in Belsey Bridge Road, Ditchingham, after the burglary was reported on Tuesday, March 14.

The break-in is believed to have taken place overnight and a Vauxhall Zafira, medication, cash and laptops were taken. 

Safes and cabinets were also smashed in the building's shop, with bolted locks being ripped off and damaged in the burglary. 

The Emmaus community building in Bungay

The residential building is located in a former nun's convent and has 32 people living there.

The 'companions' who live in the building are rebuilding their lives after being homeless.

The new car had just been bought so the charity could start taking the vulnerable in their care to appointments.

They also planned to let 'companions' use the car for day-to-day tasks, helping them have independence in their daily lives.

Cecile Roberts, CEO of Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney, said: "We're trying to recover from the experience.

"The key thing is that we have a residing feeling that our house isn't safe anymore. We're a charity to support the homeless, and everyone here feels like their home has been violated.

"The local community has been really supportive. It's horrible that someone would come in and break and steal from an organisation that's trying to support the homeless."

The companions living in the building receive training skills and are given 'meaningful employment' and support.

The charity has an 'Orchard Forge' which allows people to learn skills such as sculpting and metalwork (Image: Archant)

Ms Roberts said: "People here have had incredibly distressing life experiences and we offer a place which is a sanctuary for them.

"The only place they've ever called home in their life has been burgled and smashed up."

Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney is just one of the national charity's 29 communities in the UK, which altogether support more than 800 companions.