‘Heartbreak’ over charity shop raids

RSPCA bosses in Rochdale have spoke of their ‘heartbreak’ after three charity shops were targeted by burglars in just five days.

Thousands of pounds of damage have been caused after two burglaries and an attempted break-in at the shops in Rochdale and Middleton.

Area manager Shirley Mellor told the Observer she fears the cost of repairs may mean the charity has to turn some animals away over Christmas because of a lack of funds.

Thieves first targeted the charity’s Rochdale town centre shop on Yorkshire Street overnight on Sunday, November 26.

After smashing their way in through a rear door the burglars stole the day’s takings and ransacked the shop.

Some time on the same evening thieves also ●●Cover manager Sam Strachan with volunteers Jack Woodburn and Michael Langley at the RSPCA shop on Yorkshire Street after the break-in attempted to break into the charity’s Oldham Road shop by prising open security shutters.

They failed to get into the building, but hundreds of pounds of damage was caused to the shutters.

And overnight on Thursday, November 30, the charity’s shop in Middleton town centre was also burgled after thieves again ripped off a security door at the back of the store and stole the day’s takings.

In total Shirley estimates the crimes will cost the charity about £3,000.

She said: “We just cannot believe people are targeting charity shops like this.

“Perhaps they think we are an easy target, but I don’t know what I think they are going to get - a few second-hand clothes?. I genuinely cannot work it out. What is wrong with these people?

“I have been doing this job for 12 years and I get distressed and emotional when we get animals in with horrible conditions, but I must admit I had a bit of a weep on Friday after the third break-in, because it is like they are taking money from the animals.

“We are not awash with money in Rochdale and these repairs have to be done. It could be that over Christmas we have to turn animals away because we haven’t got the funds to look after them. If that happens it would be absolutely heartbreaking.

“On Saturday we had our Christmas fair. Our volunteers give up their time for nothing because they believe in the charity.

“Seeing their faces when I told them what had happened was just heartbreaking.”

Shirley said since the break-ins no takings are left in shops overnight.

Police are investigating.