RSPCA 'saddened' by Duston charity shop break-in where cash and donated items were stolen

A burglary at a local charity shop has left staff upset and saddened.

Cash and donated costume jewellery was taken from an RSPCA charity shop in Duston when it was broken into over the weekend.

Thieves, or the thief, gained access to the property by smashing a window at the rear of the property and bending the security bars between 5.15pm on Saturday February 22 and 9am Sunday February 23.

Katie Perry, retail manager for Northamptonshire said: “The thieves broke into the property through the rear of the building by smashing a window and bending security bars to gain entry.

“They took some cash and emptied the change from two donation pots. They also took a substantial amount of costume jewellery that was ready to go out for sale in the shop.”

According to Katie, the break-in has caused damage to ‘the hearts of our team’.

She added: “Our volunteers and staff in the shop work very hard to raise funds for neglected and abused animals within Northamptonshire and are very upset that someone could be so heartless as to do this.

“We are also saddened that they have taken items that have been so generously donated to us by the local community.

“The damage caused to our property and the hearts of our team has outweighed the amount taken by the thieves.

“Forensics have been to the scene to gather evidence and we hope with the help of the community we will be able to find out who has done this.”

Northamptonshire Police is looking for witnesses who may have seen the incident.

A police spokeswoman said: “A burglary took place between 5.15pm on Saturday, February 22 and 9.15am on Sunday, February 23 at the RSPCA charity shop in Main Road, Duston.

“The offender or offenders gained entry via a window at the rear of the premises and stole cash from a locked draw; a Golden Retriever charity box and some items of jewellery which were on display in the shop.”

Anyone who knows anything about the incident should contact police on 101 quoting reference 20000103502.