Burglars ransack air ambulance charity’s supermarket
THIEVES have broken into a Derbyshire charity shop, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and stealing games and consoles.
The offenders targeted The Hanger Superstore, in Nottingham Road, Somercotes, a charity shop for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, over the Christmas period.
It is believed they also broke into one of the charity’s other stores in Leicestershire.
Police say the thieves gained access to the shop in Somercotes by smashing a window in the front entrance, leaving broken glass on the floor, and damaging a wooden door frame.
Once inside, they helped themselves to “high-valued items including donated games and consoles”.
In all, the two incidents look to have cost the charity around £3,000, with that money set to go to the upkeep of the vital Air Ambulance, which was called out more than 2,000 times to potentially lifesaving missions in the last year alone.
Now the charity is appealing for help in finding those responsible and also asking people if they could help support it for the losses it has incurred during the breakins.
A spokesperson for the Air Ambulance said: “Our hard-working staff and volunteers have been heartbroken by this attack. For thieves to target a charity that raises vital funds to help save lives is beyond belief.
“The Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance only exists to provide lifesaving care to those in greatest need but, instead of money going towards the vital service, we now need to incur the cost of the damage made in gaining access to both superstores, as well as losing the income the stock would have generated.
“Not only did the thieves in Melton Mowbray cause damage gaining access, but whilst inside, the store’s music system was cut out and stolen and the till was damaged. We really need support at this time and would greatly appreciate any donations from our local communities.”
A spokesperson for Derbyshire police confirmed they are looking into the incident.
The spokesperson said: “We received a call at 2.26am on 25 December to report a burglary at the Hanger store in Nottingham Road, Somercotes. The front window of the shop had been smashed open, and a games console had been taken from within a display cabinet. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact us.”