Charities hit by spate of burglaries

CHARITIES are counting the cost after a spate of break-ins that have seen three Stockport shops fall victim to ‘despicable’ thieves in less than a week.

The latest good cause to be hit by an overnight raid is Beechwood Cancer Care, whose Bramhall store was targeted.

Volunteers arrived on Monday morning to find the shop ransacked, the safe emptied of several days’ taking and costume jewellery stolen.

The value of the haul is around £600 with damage caused costing an estimated £1,000 to repair.

Barnardo’s, in Marple, and Oxfam, in Stockport town centre, have suffered very similar overnight burglaries that were discovered on March 2 and February 27 respectively.

Lorraine Fairclough, Beechwood’s community and volunteer manager, said: “The volunteers were the first ones there and they are really upset.

“I just feel disbelief and disappointment. By the time this is costed up that is half a day’s treatment for someone who has cancer and could be terminally ill.”

Police have appealed for witnesses in a bid to catch the person, or people, responsible.

A spokesman said: “It is a despicable act to break into a charity shop. These places are run by volunteers who rely on donations and work hard to make money for a worthy cause.”

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.