Thieves target donations

Mr Stephens, a retired police officer, said a recent incident where two people stole from the Walter Road East charity bin particularly angered him.

Salvation Army administrator Lynn Wheeler said on August 6 two people pulled up to the charity bin in a car about 4am.

Ms Wheeler said the pair was caught on CCTV, with one opening the charity bin chute before the other got in the bin and chucked out bags full of donations.

She said they put the items in the car and sped off.

Ms Wheeler said it was not the first time people had stolen from the charity bin, which supplies donations for the thrift store.

"We have had the CCTV cameras about six months but unfortunately I don't think we're ever going to be able to stop people from stealing donations," she said.

�Unfortunately people don't always put things in the bin and it starts accumulating outside.

�Some people unfortunately feel they are entitled to things as well because they are donations, but they're stealing because all money made from donations goes back into the community.

"It's disheartening when this happens, because the volunteers work so hard."

Acting Senior Sergeant Mo Livingstone said stealing from charity bins was a concern for police but it did not happen frequently.

"This type of stealing has a high impact on the community due to the nature of someone stealing from a charity," Sgt Livingstone said.

�No charges have been laid as yet; there is an ongoing investigation into this matter.

"At present the suspects cannot be identified but we have managed to identify a vehicle of interest."

Sgt Livingstone said the Morley Local Policing Team would increase patrols to deter further offences.