Charity shop targeted by thieves for months

War on Want’s local branch had lost out on countless donations since May this year when they were first alerted to the thefts by a member of the public. Four bags were stolen on Thursday October 6 between 6am and 8am. Now the shop’s manager said something major must be done to catch the culprit.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said shop staff are at their wit’s end and are frustrated that, since investigations began in May no-one has been brought to book for the thefts of bags full of clothes, shoes and other donated items.

Staff are convinced that someone is stealing bags from the porch area of the shop. Outside shop hours people are encouraged to leave their donations in the doorway, which is protected by a locked gate.

But now, following crime prevention advice to close the shop porch altogether, the manager said she is willing to drive to people’s homes across the district to collect donations.

“We desperately need the donations and I do not want to alarm people and put them off donating because they think if they drop the stuff off it might be stolen,” said the manager. “So if people want to ring the shop here I am more than willing to drive and collect it. We need the donations and we would appeal to people to continue donating their unwanted goods to us.”

The manager said the person stealing the bags must be caught. “I can’t believe that for all we know this has been going on all summer. We will do whatever it takes at this stage.”

A police spokeswoman said a full investigation is underway into the incidents. “We have conducted a number of enquiries and have viewed CCTV in the area,” she said. “We would ask for the community to assist us in our investigation and contact us with any relevant information. Police can be contacted on 0845 600 8000.”