'Heartless thieves' have smashed their way into an Eastbourne charity shop, stealing cash and clothing donated to the town's cats and kittens.
They targeted the Cats Protection charity shop in Seaside, Eastbourne, in a 'smash and grab' raid just before midnight on Friday, March 13.
Bricks were thrown through a glass door with staff describing a 'trail of devastation' through the shop as it was ransacked with change stolen from a till and the collection tin taken. They said clothing had also been grabbed from the rail.
Police were alerted to the raid by a nearby resident, but the thieves had left the scene by the time police arrived at the shop. Officers remained on site until the premises was secure and returned to collect evidence the morning after the attack.
Staff and volunteers said they were 'shaken' by the incident, but rallied round to sweep up the broken glass and tidy the shelves to prepare the shop to reopen, with the damaged door temporarily boarded up.
Anna Walker, shop manager, said:
“Charity shops like ours work hard to raise every pound, especially in these difficult times. We are proud of our shop and we do our best to make the window displays attractive and inviting to our regular customers, so it was especially demoralising to see the damage done."
The shop sells new and second-hand items to support the work of Cats Protection, the UK’s largest feline charity, in its mission to help cats in need and promote better welfare for all cats.
Although the shop has reopened, it faces large bills to repair the damage to windows, displays and stock.
Area retail manager Richard Preece added:
“This has been very upsetting for our team in Eastbourne, who ensure the shop is clean, well-stocked and welcoming to customers who spend hard-earned money with us, knowing it will help local cats.
“Now we need that money to repair damage caused by these mindless criminals. That can’t be right, can it? For someone to target us, to steal from an animal charity and the volunteers who give up their time for a cause that means the world to them, is heart-breaking.”
To help right the wrong, the charity is appealing to its many kind supporters in the Sussex community to come forward with donations to recoup losses due to the attack.
Richard said:
“We enjoy very good relations with local retailers and shoppers in Eastbourne, we’re part of a strong community. Our focus now is to get back on our feet, ensure our staff and volunteers feel safe at work, and to put this upsetting incident behind us.
“So we are asking the generous people of Eastbourne to help with any financial donations or good quality second-hand items so we can replenish our stock and continue to raise vital funds for local cats in need.”
Sussex Police are investigating the break-in and anyone with information can contact them citing crime reference number 47240050390.
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