Call for police in charity shops

12:01pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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A SHOP targeted by thieves wants to recruit its own charity cops.

Volunteers working at the Cancer Research UK shop in Havelock Street were shocked that a brazen thief stole £190 out of the till last week.

Now the charity is appealing for volunteers with police or security experience who have a few free hours a week to help out.

Cancer Research UK also wants help in tracking down the people who sink low enough to steal from them by using unwanted CCTV cameras.

A spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK said: "The staff are a bit shaken up by the whole incident and worried about the person coming back.

"We are trying to improve security to stop this happening again.

"We would like to appeal to any local businesses in the area who may be updating their security systems and have older security systems or cameras they could donate to come forward.

"The shop is also on the look out for volunteers to do an extra special duty to provide security on the shop floor.

"They would work on the shop floor, keeping it tidy, and at the same time keep their eye out for potential mischief.

"We would be particularly interested in hearing from anyone from an ex-police or security background who could spare a couple of hours a week at the busiest times."

As reported in the Advertiser yesterday, police are looking for the 5ft 6ins tall suspect who was wearing a baseball cap when he opened the till and made off with the contents while staff were distracted.

The theft is one of a number of crimes reported by the town's hardworking charities.

Swin-don police have also revealed that a man stole a Prospect Hospice collection box off the counter in the Newsdesk newsagent's in Cavendish Square.

PCSO Julie Box said: "He just entered the shop on January 27, and distracted the shop attendants by asking for some cigarettes or something, then removed the charity box, stuffing it under his jacket.

"We will investigate any crime, but this theft seems particularly mean as people had donated their spare cash to people less fortunate then them."

Anyone who has information about the suspects in either of the two cases is urged to contact Swindon police on 0845 408 7000.

If you have time to help keeping the shop safe, or any spare security equipment, please contact the Advertiser newsroom on 01793 501800.