A Truro cake shop has been the victim of crime several times in two weeks – but the owner has paid tribute to the kindness of strangers.

Tiff Hodgson, owner of The Cake House in Pydar Mews, attended the property on Saturday, March 22 following reports of six people loitering, with one kicking in the café door and helping himself to chocolate cake. Police confirmed a 16-year-old boy from the Truro area had been arrested on suspicion of burglary and since released on bail.

“Someone called me at 9.30pm, and I raced there to find the police there already,” said Tiff. “I went home to get the keys, and came back around midnight to find a man leaving with the till in his hands. He exited the mews via an open gate, but the police were here within minutes and caught him outside M&S.”

The till contained £40 in change, but Tiff expects repairing the damage will cost far more. The till drawer was ripped out, and the process of taking the till wrenched the wifi cable out of the wall, meaning café staff were struggling to take card payments at the time of interview. The shop frontage will also need replacing due to the damage caused to the door and window frame.

On Friday morning, vandals caused damage to The Cake House’s parking bay at the entrance to the mews. These had been replaced only nine days earlier, at a cost of £600, using steel posts rather than wooden due to previous damage. “It’s very disheartening to pull up and see yet another problem,” said Tiff.

However, she praised customers who had offered help, including an electrician asking if he could help with the broadband and a carpenter pledging to fix the door. “Someone pushed £20 through the letterbox with a note saying to use it for whatever we needed, and people we have never met before have brought us flowers,” said Tiff.

“It’s very kind, and it cheers us up. It’s difficult enough for small businesses at the moment. The last thing you need is repair bills. But we’re lucky we were able to reopen straight away. You can’t let these things beat you.”

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were notified on the evening of Saturday, March 22 following a report of a burglary at a commercial premises in Pydar Mews, Truro.

“It was reported that entry to the business had been forced and cakes and a till stolen.

A 16-year-old boy from the Truro area has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and since released on bail.

“Police were also notified following a report of criminal damage outside a commercial premises in Pydar Mews on Friday, March 28. It was reported that chains and bollards in a parking area were damaged.

“At this time, there are no viable lines of enquiry; however, if further evidence comes to light the incident can be re-visited. Anybody with information or relevant footage can contact police on 101 or via our website quoting 50250077189.”