Thieves who broke into and stole money from a charity shop in Newtown have been described as ‘despicable’ and ‘sickening’.
Overnight on Thursday, November 3, thieves broke into the Cancer Research Charity Shop on Market Street entering by damaging the emergency door, before taking a quantity of cash.
Shop manager Carol Arthur-Smith was disgusted with the actions of the raiders.
“What can I say? It’s sickening,” she said. “All the hard work we do here and someone can just do that, it’s a sign of the times. It was a shock, I’ve been here 10 years and I’ve never seen anything like this.
“But it didn’t disturb us for long, and we were back fundraising by 11.30am the next morning.”
Carol said that the shop had been locked up as normal, and that it was not until she returned the next morning that she knew that someone had burgled the shop.
Andy Timmins, Cancer Research UK area manager, said: “The theft in our Newtown Cancer Research UK shop has left substantial damage to the entrance and new tills which have just been recently fitted to enable us to claim Gift Aid on donated items.
“Due to the nightly emptying of our tills only a very small amount of cash was taken.
“We hope an incident of this nature will not re-occur as our shops operate to support the charity’s life saving research and it is upsetting for all involved.”
An appeal for information and witnesses to the burglary has been issued by Newtown police.
“A quantity of cash was taken during this burglary,” said Sergeant Jonathan Rees.
“This is a particularly despicable crime because this is money that’s been given to a charity and a worthy cause.
“Anyone with information that can help us track down the person responsible is asked to contact PC 148 Dan Livermore or the CID department at Newtown Police Station.”
The contact numbers are 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you wish to remain anonymous.