Pilfering pensioners caught stealing from charity shop

PENSIONERS have been caught red handed shoplifting from a charity shop which raises money for disabled children.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Sep 2014, 13:00 BST
WH 230014 Babybuddy in Guildbourne Centre. Charity shop been increasingly targeted by thieves in recent weeks, most of which are pensioners. Lorraine Harman and daughter Chelsea and Steven Reader. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-140923-212557001WH 230014 Babybuddy in Guildbourne Centre. Charity shop been increasingly targeted by thieves in recent weeks, most of which are pensioners. Lorraine Harman and daughter Chelsea and Steven Reader. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-140923-212557001
WH 230014 Babybuddy in Guildbourne Centre. Charity shop been increasingly targeted by thieves in recent weeks, most of which are pensioners. Lorraine Harman and daughter Chelsea and Steven Reader. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-140923-212557001

Babybuddy, in the Guildbourne Centre, has been increasingly targeted in the past month, with one thwarted thief nearly escaping with £170 of goods.

Charity founder Lorraine Harman said while a small number of thieves were younger, she was shocked to be catching mostly pensioners leaving without paying.

She said: “It is mostly older women. It’s quite scary.

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“We had a lady in a wheelchair the other day who took two specially-adapted phones. She had about £170 of goods and it was really fortunate we got them back.

“We take between £400 and £500 each week, so it would have been a huge loss.”

Guildbourne security guards have managed to stop most of the shoplifters, who have mostly stolen clothing.

But the charity has lost two volunteers due to the uncomfortable situation of having to approach the thieves.

Mrs Harman said the items on sale were deliberately priced as low as possible so they were affordable for everyone.

For the full story, see the Herald, out Thursday, September 25.