The owners of a vegan café have been left “shocked and shaken” after their business was burgled but say it is heart-warming to see their “amazing community” rally around them.

The Feel Good Café in The Arcade in Station Road, Chingford, was broken into in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Business partners Idan and Izabela, who declined to give their surnames, say the stolen cash, i-Pads and CBD oils are a “significant loss” to the café, which opened three years ago.

Idan, 34, said: “It has been a blow for us, financially and morally.

“We work so hard and then someone from outside the community comes in and brings bad energy. It was a significant loss.

“We are feeling shocked and shaken. We feel violated.”

The thief is believed to have entered the shopping arcade late on Tuesday evening (July 31) through the outside shutters which had been left open.

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CCTV images show the man sitting at a table outside the café for about three hours and peering through shop windows before smashing the glass on the café door and gaining entry at 2.30am.

The alarm was raised when a cleaner arrived hours later to find glass shattered across the floor and items missing.

The café stocks a range of CBD (cannabidiol) oils, which are well sought-after by customers.

The oil, which is a constituent of cannabis, is used to treat a wide variety of conditions from epilepsy, Parkinson’s depression and autism.

Idan said: “People really depend on the CBD oils. They are vulnerable and are living with pain.

“They are messaging us asking us when we will be getting the next batch in and they are concerned.

“One woman was panicked after the burglary, because she needs the oils for her child with learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

“The oil we stock is a unique product that is produced in small quantities.”

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Izabela, 28, added: “It is life-changing (for users) and it’s just a shame. You can try all over the county but it’s hard to find this unique brand of CBD oil.”

Just hours after the break-in, when police had left and staff had cleared the mess, customers arrived at the café offering to help.

While one person measured the pane of glass that had been smashed and brought a replacement, another customer fitted it free of charge.

The owners have since installed a new and improved alarm system and are confident the upset will not damage their business.

Izabela said: “It’s just an amazing community.

Idan added: “It’s a small business but we are well-supported by the Chingford community. We provide people with healthy food that does not cause any harm animals – it’s wonderful.

“It’s not nice for us (to be burgled) but also it’s not nice for him (the burglar) to resort to this kind of behaviour.

“He needs help and we wish we could help this person.”

A spokesman for the Met said they were called at 7.40am to reports of a burglary.

CCTV footage is being assessed by officers and there have been no arrests.