Staff left shocked after Shropshire charity shop break-ins
Charity shop workers say they have been left shocked after two north Shropshire stores suffered break-ins during the same night.
Now police are appealing for witnesses to help track down who is responsible for targeting the shops in Market Drayton.
Liz Wakefield, shop manager at the Sue Ryder store, said it took staff hours to clean up after the break-in.
She said: "I discovered the break-in when I came into work at about 8.50am on Wednesday.
"I saw that the thieves had broke in through the toilet window and there was smashed glass everywhere.
"The keys to the cash float were dumped outside and about £60 was taken.
"It took us about two hours to clean up and we had to shut up shop while we did that. So the store was closed until about 11.30am on Wednesday."
She added: "It is really sad. What kind of low-life could break into a charity store and steal money kindly donated by the public?
"We hope that the person responsible is caught."
Both the Barnardo's shop and Sue Ryder store on Chester Street were broken into between 5.20pm on Tuesday night and 8.50am Wednesday morning.
Police officers say the cash float, box of new stationery and blue donation box were stolen from the Sue Ryder store.
The Barnardo's shop on the same street in the town also reported a break-in, in which a bottle of brandy donated for their tombola prize was stolen.
The store was forced to close all day on Wednesday due to staff having to clean up the mess left after the break-in.
Lisa Holle, deputy manager of the Barnando's shop, added: "They stole a bottle of brandy which was kindly donated to us by Wetherspoon and we were saving it as a main raffle prize, so we are very disappointed.
"It is not very nice and very unkind. They broke a glass window at the back.
"We have never had an incident like this before and all staff members are in shock."
The Sue Ryder store was last broken into in 2011, when £200 was stolen.
West Mercia Police confirmed it is investigating both incidents, and has issued an appeal for information.
Anyone with information is asked to telephone the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
