Increase in thefts from Shropshire charity shops

Several charity shops in Newport have fallen victim to theft, but many do not want to be a "burden" and therefore do not report crimes to police.

Officers are now encouraging charity shops to report any kind of thefts, no matter how small.

A wide range of items donated to raise money for good causes including clothing, jewellery, toys, household items and even garden gnomes, have been stolen in the last year.

PC Lee Thomas, from the Newport Safer Neighbourhood Team, said enquiries had shown all the charity shops officers visited in the town had suffered an increasing number of thefts.

He is urging stores to report these thefts when they occur so the police can build a bigger picture of how widespread the problem has become and look for ways to deal with the problem.

He said: "What we quickly found is that staff in the charity shops are not generally reporting these thefts to the police.

"Perhaps in the mistaken belief that there is nothing that can be done, or because the items they are selling have been donated that it's not really a theft.

"We would like to reassure the shops that the cost of the item to them is irrelevant and they have been given the goods to sell on for the purpose of raising money for a range of good causes.

"At the time of the items being taken they are property of the charity shop in question and they indeed have been stolen.

"I've no doubt the vast majority of the public will be completely disgusted at the actions of a minority who wish to abuse others good nature."

Last month two pieces of jewellery were stolen from a charity shop.

The two rings, worth £100 altogether, were taken from the Oxfam charity shop on Upper Bar, in Newport.

One of the volunteers noticed the rings had gone missing when the box they were kept in was found empty in the cabinet. At first they thought they may have sold them, but after further investigation they discovered they had been taken.

It is believed the rings were taken on Saturday, May 23.

PC Thomas also appealed to shoppers, asking them to be vigilant and to alert the store staff immediately if they witness a theft.

Charity shops are also being asked to see how they can improve their security.

He added: "Historically, charity shops are staffed by volunteers, they do not have electronic product tagging machines or CCTV equipment.

"All these items cost a lot of money and every pound spent protecting stock is a pound not going where it is intended."

Anyone with information about people stealing from charity shops is asked to report it to police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.