CCTV has been installed in a Penrith charity shop after an upsetting theft last week.
On Tuesday lunchtime, a thief posing as a customer sneaked upstairs in the Eden Animal Rescue premises on Devonshire Street, ripped down a cordon preventing access to a private third floor staff area, and made off with a new £500 laptop. At the time, the shop was “exceptionally busy” and the hope is customers may remember seeing someone.
Extra security has been rushed in but it has left volunteers unsettled by who would do such a thing and what would have happened had one of them caught the thief in the act.
Shop manager Keeley Story, from Penrith, said: “It’s just the fact that someone would stoop so low to steal something from a charity shop. It turns your stomach and makes you feel really sick and invaded. At the end of the day all we are trying to do is raise as much money as possible to take care of the animals at our rescue centre.”
Volunteer Gill Jacobs, of Murton, added: “We have taken steps to improve our security and give us peace of mind.”
Sarah Bean, general manager for the charity, said the laptop was essential for the business of the shop.
“Everyone is shocked,” said Sarah. “It’s left the ladies there quite nervous because it’s disturbing and not what you expect to happen.”
To donate to the charity, which works to care for animals including cats and dogs, visit www.justgiving.com/edenanimalrescue
