Charity shop break-in saddens volunteers

The RSPCA's Music, Movies and More shop was broken into on Wednesday

Charity shop volunteers have been left feeling dispirited after their store was broken into, the manager said.

Thieves stole an iPad as well as stock including digital cameras and DVD box sets, from one of the RSPCA stores in Fountain Square, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Patrick Vasey said.

The break-in had left the store drastically depleted and meant less money could be raised to help animals, he added.

It comes after the store was attacked by vandals earlier in the year, which the charity said had landed them with a £1,800 bill for repairs to the stores windows.

“It’s knocked the morale of us all in the shop - but we pick ourselves up, we clean up, we tidy up and hopefully we can re-stock with more donated items from our wonderful supporters in the area," he said.

Police said they were called shortly before 10:30 GMT on Wednesday to reports of two burglaries at the RSPCA’s Movies, Music and More charity shop.

They said the first burglary took place at 01:50 GMT and a man stole an iPad, a camera and a number of other items.

At 03:50 GMT, three people stole further items. A total of about £600 worth of items were taken, police said.

Inquiries were ongoing, they said, and anyone with information is urged to contact Staffordshire Police.