OVERNIGHT thefts from outside a Llandrindod Wells charity shop have become so frequent that the manager has lost count of how many there have been this year.

Steph Burton, who runs the Cefnllys School Community Charity Shop on Middleton Street, was dismayed to come into work on Monday morning to find a box full of items left on the doorstep the previous night had been emptied.

Steph speculates that the items were of some value as others deposited had been left untouched – while she’s sure people feeding their alcohol and drug habits is fuelling the thefts.

“It constantly happens,” said the 61-year-old.

“I can’t even count the amount of instances like this that have happened this year.

“We can’t stop it. There’s a note on the door not to leave things if the shop’s closed but people want to get rid of their stuff, and it’s more convenient for them to drop it off after they’ve finished work, by which time the shop is usually closed.”

It has become such an occurring nuisance that Steph claims it is a waste of time reporting the thefts to police, and she’s uncertain of any solution.

“I never phone them (the police) because what’s the point? There’s no CCTV covering the shop and I don’t know what’s been left in the boxes so nobody’s going to know what’s missing; it’s not like I can give them a description of what’s been stolen.

“Plus, not many people will admit to leaving items because they don’t have permission, it’s fly-tipping, so no-one wants to hold their hands up in case they get in trouble.

“Maybe we could have CCTV installed here but then do you challenge the people responsible? I could be here all the time but that’s not feasible. Someone suggested installing a fake camera, just to deter people, but I don’t know.”

The shop has been running for several years and, prior to Covid-19, acted as a pop-up shop from week to week for other local charities and/or community groups.

But during the pandemic the shop has been operating purely for the benefit of Cefnllys Primary School – which last week changed its name to Ysgol Cefnllys – and its pupils.

And, despite the constant stress over thefts, Steph insists the shop continues to thrive and supply vital funds for the school.

“We’re still profiting as everything we receive is a donation and we’re able to pay our rent – so everything above that is a bonus,” she added.

“We’re making plenty of money for the school, it’s just that whatever is left outside, £10 maybe, it’s £10 that didn’t go to us and went on alcohol or drugs, because that’s what it is for around here. It’s always been the same.

“It’s the same people too, I know who many of them are. One woman a while ago who is here a lot took some plates and when I went after her she dropped a lot and they smashed.

“Another woman took some cutlery and I chased her down the street and challenged her, I could hear it jingling about in her bag but she said she’d brought it with her from home.

“It’s brazen, I think maybe some of them need money for their life choices.”