Football shop says thefts left them 'unsettled'

Andy Bowles said about seven shirts had been stolen across three days

Volunteers at a football merchandise shop said they were left "unsettled" after shirts were stolen from their premises.

On the Stall City, which donates its profits to Norwich City's charity, The Community Sports Foundation, said it had seen about seven of the team's shirts go missing from its shop in the city centre.

Norfolk Police confirmed it was investigating several items which had been stolen from a business in The Forum.

Stall manager Andy Bowles said: "When someone has come in and actually defiled us, it feels really unsettling."

The thefts were reported to have happened on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Mr Bowles said: "My son Jacob, who we actually run the shop for, is autistic.

"We do this for him to get life experience, to be able to work in a proper working environment.

"I know it is not the biggest crime, but to us it has been an unsettled week," he added.

Previously, the stall's marquee had disappeared at the Royal Norfolk Show in June, after it had blown away in high winds.

Norfolk Police said it was investigating reports of items being stolen from a business in The Forum

The shop, which used to be located on Norwich market, originally sold Norwich City surplus kit, but expanded to sell a range of branded leisure and training wear.

Mr Bowles added: "When we get shirts in, we sell them and donate them, and our profits go to the Community Sports Foundation, so it is pretty upsetting."

He said he believed that some of the stolen shirts "were donated by the widow of someone who died".

A spokesperson for Norfolk Police said: "We received a report on 7 August that a number of items had been stolen from a business premises in The Forum, Norwich. An investigation is underway."

The store said it had reviewed and improved its security since the incidents, including removing signs so they could see around the shop more easily.

Norwich City were scheduled to play against Millwall at 15:00 BST at home in the first game of the new Championship season.