Heartless thieves target third RSPCA charity shop in just five days

RSPCA

The local RSPCA fears it is being targeted, as yet another one of their charity shops have been broken into - the third in just five days.

The thieves broke into the Middleton RSPCA charity shop between the evening of 30 November and the morning of 1 December. In addition to causing yet more damage, the heartless thieves made off with takings.

Earlier this week, both the Yorkshire Street and Oldham Road premises in Rochdale were broken into.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/114391/attempted-break-in-at-rspca-charity-shop-on-oldham-road

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/114376/heartless-thieves-cause-hundreds-of-pounds%E2%80%99-worth-of-damage-to-rspca-charity-shop

Staff have now implemented a system from Friday (1 December) where no money is left on the premises at any of their shops overnight. A new security door has been fitted at the Middleton store after the thieves ripped the previous one from its hinges.

A representative for the local RSPCA branch said: “With the damage to the three shops, we’re looking at around £2,500 in repairs. We’re hoping someone might have seen anything from last night.

“Every charity needs extra help at Christmas. We are at that time of year when we are at our busiest with people bringing animals in and we are bursting to the seams. That is so much money that could go on food or treatment for the animals we look after. Instead, we have to find it for repairs.

“Our volunteers work so hard and when things like this happen, because they give their free time, it is like they have worked for nothing. We work hard week in and week out, and for someone else to just come along and take it… it is starting to feel like we are being targeted.

“The people of Rochdale have been so generous recently, and the response with help for the puppies has been overwhelming.

"We are gearing up for the Christmas Fair now and trying to remain positive.”

If anyone has any information, contact the Rochdale RSPCA branch or Greater Manchester Police on 101.