Charity shop tree 'theft' a false alarm

12:10pm Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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By James Wallin »

OUTRAGE turned to embarrassment as it emerged that a charity shop’s Christmas tree thought to have been stolen was at the centre of a mix-up.

Staff at the Sue Ryder shop on Victoria Road thought a fleet-footed thief had swiped the festive fir – which was being decorated in readiness for sale – while their backs were turned.

They contacted the Adver to express their disgust at how crooks could stoop so low as to steal a Christmas tree from a charity shop.

Shoppers were keen to add their voices to the chorus of disapproval at the dubious morals of such light-fingered antics in the festive season.

And they were just as annoyed as shop staff when it then appeared that a ‘villain’ had nabbed the tree while the volunteers in the shop were otherwise engaged. But later on that day red-faced Sue Ryder staff found out that a customer had simply picked up the wrong tree.

It appears the innocent punter was keen to make a quick getaway as he was parked on a double yellow line and did not stop to ask which was his tree.

Assistant manager Helen Fordham was decorating the tree when it was “stolen”.

She said: “What a strange story – we’re not quite sure what happened. “It seems strange that he didn’t ask which was the right tree or make sure we knew he was there.

“All I knew was when I turned round the tree had gone. I couldn’t believe anybody would steal a Christmas tree and in the middle of the day – it was very bizarre.”

The tree, which cost £7.50, is one of a number that the shop is selling in the run-up to the Christmas period.

Despite this false alarm the shop has suffered its fair share of strange thefts.

Pat Puckey, manager, said: “We do get quite a lot of shoplifters in here, unfortunately, and they’ll steal anything.

“We’ve had a door stop taken and even the ‘open/closed’ sign.”

Anybody who wants one of the Sue Ryder Christmas trees can buy or order one in the shop – but please make sure you let staff know before you take it away.