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Burglars target more Leeds charity shops
Callous burglars targeted two neighbouring charity shops in Leeds on the same night.
The Oxfam and Cancer Research UK shops on Harrogate Road, Moortown, were allegedly burgled on July 29 – just two days after a gang broke into the St Gemma's Hospice shop in nearby Alwoodley.
As reported in the YEP last week, burglars also targeted the St Gemma's shop on King Lane on August 16; and broke into the NorthCall Community Centre on Cranmer Bank, Moor Allerton, on June 15 and July 22.
During the raid at the Cancer Research UK shop, the safe was allegedly forced open and around 300 taken.
At the Oxfam shop, the office was ransacked in a bid to find the safe keys – but thankfully, nothing was stolen.
Manager Jon Simmonds said: "As well as the break-in, we've had our lead
flashing stolen three times now, forcing us to replace it with a more expensive alternative that is not attractive to metal thieves.
"Teenagers have scratched graffiti into our rear doors on countless occasions and bags of donations left by supporters while we were closed have been taken before our volunteers opened up the shop.
"It's very frustrating because it takes away the money from the causes we're working for.
"I don't understand why they do it. It's not as if we're taking thousands of pounds every day."
Burglars stole a small amount of cash when the St Gemma's shop in Alwoodley was raided for the first time on July 27.
After the break-in, the hospice changed its policy so that no money was left in any of the 19 charity shops overnight, thwarting burglars who attempted another night-time raid on August 16.
But a brick was thrown through the window, damaging stock and forcing the closure of the shop the following day.
At NorthCall, a group of mums are now planning a sponsored walk to help replace the items stolen in the two burglaries, including a safe, a laptop, a camcorder, a Nintendo Wii and three cameras.
Anyone with information about any of the burglaries should call DC Banks at Killingbeck Police Station via 0845 60 60 606.
* Two 19-year-olds, one from Meanwood and one from Moortown, have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of burglary at Harrogate.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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