Charities losing £100 a week to mean shoplifters in Scunthorpe
Charity shop staff in Scunthorpe say shoplifters are hitting their profits by around £100 a week.
Stores on Scunthorpe High Street say between 30 and 40 items of clothing are being stolen every week because of a perception that they are a soft target.
-
HELP NEEDED: Linda O'Connor and Katy Smith from the Age UK shop, Market Hill, Scunthorpe which has seen a rise in theft from the shop. Picture: David Haber
The recession has also been blamed for the problem – which charity bosses say has soared in recent months.
Scunthorpe's Cancer Research UK, Age UK, Scope and Lindsey Lodge Hospice Charity Shop all told the Telegraph that theft had increased over the past few months.
BLINDS & CURTAINS MADE 2 MEASURE WE COVER SCUNTHORPE & GRIMSBY...
View detailsHave a look at our website and view our fantastic new blinds! then you could book a free home visit were we show you more samples and help you choose your new blinds.www.grimsby-sunblinds.co.uk
Contact: 01472 809887
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Ann Barton, manager at Scunthorpe's Cancer Research UK Charity Shop, said: "In the last 18 months, theft has gone up dramatically.
"We are losing around 30 garments a week in this Scunthorpe store. That probably amounts to around £90 a week."
Different charities say there could be different reasons for the unwanted trend.
Debbie Russell, manager of the Scope Charity shop said: "I expect around 30 to 40 items a week probably – amounting to around the £90/£100 mark – are being stolen."
Anne Day, manager of Lindsey Lodge Hospice charity shop, said: "I think it's partly down to the recession, but I think it's also down to the fact other high-street stores have such tight security – CCTV and expert guards – and people are avoiding those stores and sadly coming here."
All stores said there was an urgent need for volunteers, as at least two members of staff are needed at any one time to keep the crime rate down.
Katy Smith, manager of the Age UK store in Scunthorpe, said "We desperately need volunteers, so if anyone is thinking of volunteering, please do now."
Humberside Police said that there are not significant numbers of theft from charity shops reported to them in Scunthorpe.
What do YOU think about the kind of people who steal from charity shops? You are welcome to post a comment on this story. And you can send your opinions by email to viewpoint@scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk.
Comments
by DFlated
Saturday, September 15 2012, 9:02AM
“Not satisfied with the largest amount of Pound shops per head of capita the Scunthorpetastic population have taken to shoplifting dead peoples cast off's and house clearances. Just about sums up this fully degraded dump of a town demonstrates that just when you think it can't sink any lower some people manage to find a way.”
by Hazzers
Saturday, September 15 2012, 8:52AM
“I've seen no end of the blue rinse brigade with their tartan covered granny barrows in the charity shops stuffing out of fashion clothes into their bags. What the charity shops should do is employ a big burley SIA authorised security guard on the door and impose a one in, one out policy on grannies.”
by Mozart
Friday, September 14 2012, 4:01PM
“If the charity shops in question(and many of us know who they are) put their pay point by the door they wouldn't get so much stuff nicked but of course "that's not fashionable now is it"? Also no pushchairs or shopping trolleys - they're ideal for hiding things in!”
by gordonio
Friday, September 14 2012, 3:31PM
“I pick and choose who I donate to, reading some of the bags small print a lot of the items just go to rag merchants, or it is to raise money for a cause, such as breast cancer in an east european country, these bags are fit for only one thing, to line my rubbish bin.”
by SnowBoundDN15
Friday, September 14 2012, 1:59PM
“People who steal from Charity Shops are the lowest of the low - absolute scum of society. I donate clothes, toys, books, and other household items to charity shops regularly and I just hope that the money they make from these items does some good to help their cause. I most certainly do not begrudge them trying to get the best possible price for any item I have donated - to me thats the whole point of donating my unwanted items to charity shops.”
by mallyg1
Friday, September 14 2012, 1:36PM
“They get the items for free anyway and often charge quite a bit more than they are worth. I am not saying I condone the theft as I don't but I think their prices should reflect this.”
by Paranoid61
Friday, September 14 2012, 1:31PM
“Gordonio next time you pass the 99p shop look in ,even they need security. Society as a whole is in a bad place right now and it will only get worse .”
by gordonio
Friday, September 14 2012, 9:46AM
“Dear me, that's an average price of around £3 per item, just how low will some people stoop? Is it really worth the effort of getting caught and a criminal record to boot for such low value items?”