Action called for after sickening theft of baby Jesus doll

Local charity shops feel under siege from organised shop-lifting teams – and the theft of baby Jesus from a window-display nativity has been the final straw.

Right across the high streets of the district centres, the shops deliver vital income for local and national charities, but they are battling against a situation that has reached crisis point.

It was at the Dr Kershaw’s Hospice shop in Shaw that that baby Jesus doll was stolen from the window display and David Whaley, Income Generation and Communications Manager for the Royton-based charity, said the incident had sickened the shop’s staff to the core.

“We have always had the odd item go missing, but what was a trickle has become a flood," said Mr Whaley.

"This is not just opportunistic – this is thieving on an organised and industrial scale.

“Some of these thieves are working in teams.

"One, usually a male, will come in and sort rails into blocks of desired items.

"They will quickly be followed by others, often females, some even with babies, who will busy themselves in the shop and create incidents or accidents that require help from our staff and volunteers.

“These are typical distraction tactics and it is only when the dust settles that the teams realise items have disappeared."

The Hospice shops also report finding tags ripped off clothing or switched for cheaper price tags in their fitting rooms.

“The fantastic people of Oldham donate lots of quality items and clothing to the charity sector and our staff have been heartbroken at the situation," added Mr Whaley.

"They are having to be on their guard all the time when they should be helping the loyal customers who give us their hard-earned money for such deserving causes."

Dr Kershaw’s and other charity shops are now looking to clamp down on the thieves.

There have been discussions with the local police and the shops have been issued with enforcement letters that can be handed to suspects to tell them they are no longer welcome in the shop.

Mr Whaley said: “We have reviewed our security measures and we will now be reporting every single incident to the police and seeking to prosecute all of those who are found to be taking goods without paying for them."

Meeting are being held across the Dr Kershaw’s retail network to brief their teams of volunteers.

The Hospice has also asked its loyal customer base to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to the manager.

“We have even discussed the possibility of having security guards on the doors – but should it really come to that in a charity shop?” questioned Mr Whaley.

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