Another charity shop raided

STAFF at a homeless charity have spoken out after they were bugled twice in a matter of weeks.

Cheshire Streetwise Furniture Project, on Mill Street, in Macclesfield, had their back door broken into on both occasions.

The first burglary happened on Thursday, June 7 and the criminals took off with the safe, which fortunately for the charity was empty at the time.

On the second raid, which happened between Saturday, August 11 and Monday, August 13 thieves only managed to make away with about £5 from the till.

Founder Maggie Falconer Drew-Taylor contacted the Express after she read about the break-ins at the Windyway Trust, on Crompton Road, and East Cheshire Hospice shop, on Thornton Square.

She said this is the first time since the charity was set up five years ago that they have been broke into and has raised concerns for the team of volunteers.

Maggie said that although the thieves didn’t manage to get away with very much, it was sad to see the charity targeted in this way.

She said: “We give things to Windyway because we support other charities and have a good relationship with them.

“It is just hard when you find out that they are being broken into as well.

“We provide for the homeless so these thieves are taking away from them when they take from us.”

She added: “I feel like we are being targeted because we don’t have very high-tech security”.

Maggie said the charity has since installed much tighter security but feels it is ‘unfair’ to target charities when they are trying their best to help people in Macclesfield.

She said if people are struggling then they can come to the shop and talk to them if they want support.

She said: “We are trying to help people and it is a bit unfair.

“We want to help people, that’s what we do. If you are in need of money or food then just come in and talk to us and we will help.

“We can provide food and clothing, you don’t have to steal from us.”

Cheshire Police are currently investigating the break-ins at Streetwise but are yet to make any arrests.

Police say the break-ins are not being linked to the incidents at East Cheshire Hospice shop and Windyway Trust, which are also still being investigated.

Anyone with information on any of the burglaries is asked to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously and quote the references numbers Streetwise 153143, Windyway 163290, and East Cheshire 162785.