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.

Reportedly, these thefts are carried out by gangs from Eastern Europe and Africa, who then sell the clothes. The list of targets is a veritable Who’s Who of Irish charities operating both overseas and on the domestic scene — Barnardos, Irish Cancer Society, Age Action, Oxfam, Enable Ireland, Threshold, St Vincent De Paul, Aware, Gorta, the Simon Community and MS Ireland.

Clearly, their ability to help people in real need is being seriously affected. You can stop bogus collectors by alerting the gardaí.