Charity shoplifters are the 'lowest of the low'

OPPORTUNIST thieves are targeting East Sussex charity shops – stealing everything from musical instruments to jewellery.

The most recent strike – at Burrswood's shop in the Broadway, Crowborough – left volunteers devastated after a valuable bracelet was taken from a display case.

The bracelet, which was worth more than £110, had been placed in a secure alarmed cupboard which is only opened by staff.

But there was a sudden influx of customers, and once the cupboard had been opened, staff became distracted.

It was only later that the theft was discovered.

Shop manager, Tessa Beeney, who wasn't in the shop at the time, was phoned by the distressed volunteers.

She said "They were devastated. They were crying – they were just so upset.

"They felt it was a personal reflection on them.

"After receiving such a generous donation, we were extremely disappointed for this to have happened."

She slammed those responsible, saying: "What kind of person steals from a charity shop?

"They have to live with themselves. Whether they have a conscience we don't know."

The bracelet was silver inlaid with gold birds similar to dodos.

This was not an isolated case, though, as shoplifting at charity shops is seemingly not that uncommon.

Gina Grindley, manager of Help the Aged in High Street, Uckfield said her shop hadn't had a jewellery theft but clothes were a different matter.

She said: "People have gone into the changing room, changed their clothes and just left their own clothes in the changing room. Often we don't know anything has been taken until we see empty hangers where the clothes were.

"These people are the lowest of the low."

Mrs Grindley said there were also many forged £20 notes being used at her shop.

She added: "People come in with a £20 note, buy something for £1 and walk away with £19."

Jan Senior manager of Demelza House Charity, in High Street, Heathfield, which supports a Sittingbourne hospice said: "We had a violin stolen in the summer.

"It's hard to know what's gone from the clothes section because it has all been donated."

Lekha Klouda, outgoing director of the Association of Charity Shops, which supports charity retail, said it was impossible to keep records of how many thefts were occurring.

She said: "We don't have barcodes on the clothes. We are not like commercial retail."

Mrs Klouda said the association encouraged best practice.

She added: "We are about training staff and volunteers and giving them awareness of when someone is acting suspiciously."