CREDITON police officers are investigating attempted break-ins to two of the town’s charity shops.

An attempt was made to gain access to the Brainwave charity shop at 14 High Street, Crediton, between 12.30am and 1am this morning, Tuesday, December 11.

Both the front door and the back doors of the shop suffered damage as a result of attempts to open the doors.

Edith Parker, manager, at the Crediton Brainwave charity shop, which supports children across the UK, told the “Courier”: “They tried to jemmy the back door with no success and also tried to force the front door.

“I live above the shop and heard someone kick a door between 12.30am and 1am this morning.

“The front door sustained quite a bit of damage and I couldn’t use my key to open it this morning.”

INCREASED SECURITY

Edith explained that it was not the first time the charity shop had suffered from an attempted break-in, and she added that, thankfully, security had been greatly increased at the shop since previous attempts and break-ins.

Last year, in early December, Crediton police investigated a large number of attempted break-ins to shops and other premises in the town.

After a break-in last year Edith said: “It is a smack in the face for the people who donate to charities like ours.

“It is stealing from people that need the money. Why anyone would want to steal from a charity shop is beyond me as we only sell items from 50p to £7.50? It must be people with no morals.”

Brainwave was started in 1982 and has worked with families to deliver individual home-based therapy and exercise programmes that help children with disabilities and Developmental Delay to achieve their potential.

The other charity shop where an attempted break-in occurred this morning (December 11) was at the Hospiscare charity shop across the road from the Brainwave shop.

Staff discovered that attempts had been made to jemmy the back door of the premises this morning.

The shop staff said that fortunately security had also been stepped up at the Hospiscare shop since previous robberies.

It was on December 14 two year’s ago that it is believed someone hid in the Hospiscare charity shop and stole cash after breaking into the locked office and causing damage amounting to more than £1,000. In total the costs were more than £2,500.

Also that same night two years’s ago, the safe was broken into at Brainwave charity shop and £450 was taken.

Two years ago a JustGiving page was set up to raise money for Hospiscare to replace that which was stolen.

Hospiscare is a local charity, providing free, high-quality care and support to people with a progressive life-limiting illness, and those close to them in Exeter, East and Mid Devon.

Both charity shops now follow police advice and do not keep large amounts of money at their shops.

AWARENESS

Crediton Police today issued an Awareness Notice on social media which reads: “Following the attempted burglaries to charity shops in Crediton last night or early this morning, your local Policing Team is asking all businesses to ensure their premises are secured and to remove any cash.

“Please can everyone remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately by calling 999.”