Charity shop thefts - Robbing the poor

AT a time when charities find themselves under severe pressure because pockets are empty due the economic downturn, it is disgraceful to learn that charity shops are being targeted by unscrupulous robbers.

Apparently, gangs of criminals are ripping them off by stealing donations of clothes left at their doors by caring citizens.

So widespread is the problem that, during the past two years, second-hand clothes with an estimated value of €10 million have been stolen.