Boxing Day charity shop theft has had 'huge impact'

The charity shop was broken into on Boxing Day

A break-in at an animal charity shop has had a "huge impact" on it, taking away from what it can "give to the animals", a spokesperson has said.

A thief broke into the Bath Cats and Dogs Home shop on George Street in Bath just after 04:30 GMT on Boxing Day, stealing money and leaving the door smashed.

The incident has been reported to Avon and Somerset Police and the local community has donated money through a fundraiser, but Jas Dyer, the charity's retail manager, said they are "some way" from covering the cost of the repair and the loss of business.

"It's awful. It's the season of giving and they took from us," she added.

"It has had a huge impact on our profitability and takes away from what we can give to the animals."

Ms Dyer said people are not coming into the shop, thinking it is closed, and further impacting their finances

Avon and Somerset Police said it is still investigating and urged anyone with information to contact the force.

"We don't have a full description as the man's face was covered," a spokesperson for the police added.

"He's white and was wearing a large black coat with a fur-trimmed hood, grey tracksuit style bottoms and white trainers.

"He was carrying a black satchel bag and a clear plastic shopping bag."

'Loss in profit'

Ms Dyer said she was notified of the break-in by people passing the shop on Boxing Day morning, who noticed the smashed door.

"We normally feel great this time of year because our support increases," Ms Dyer said.

"We were off for Christmas - I wonder if they knew that and took advantage."

Ms Dyer said the reaction from the public has been "lovely".

"We had close to £500 in donations in the first 24 hours of our fundraiser and loads of really nice messages of support," she said.

However, she said it was the "quietest time of the year" for the shop, and with the door boarded up it was stopping people from coming in.

"We look closed so people aren't coming in to the shop very much because it doesn't look very inviting," Ms Dyer said.

"So we have a loss in profit on top of it too."