Bolton NICE charity shop broken into twice in 8 days

Bolton NICE suffered break-ins at its temporary home on Moor Lane on Friday, May 6 then again on Friday, May 12.

Items include household furniture and appliances which were stolen or damaged during the incidents.

The office has been ransacked and items thrown all around the room.

Charity leader Martin McLoughlin said: “There is a lot of damage to the door when they must have forced it open, and they have chucked things around.

“They ransacked the office and damaged things we would be gifting to families or stolen them.

“It’s an inconvenience and sad to see it keeps happening to us while we are here.”

Greater Manchester Police was called to the break-ins and are investigating.

Mr McLoughlin said: “There is nothing we can do about it and it’s going to keep happening to us.

“We are reviewing our alarm systems.

“These people look in the window and see what they want and come in and just take it but if they waited and came in and asked for it, we’d probably give it to them for free.”

The incident has since left a number of volunteers feeling deflated at the risk of the building being broken into again.

Mr McLoughlin said: “Some of the volunteers just said that what was the point if this was going to happen all the time?

“There isn’t anything of great value here but if people damage things then we can not give it to the people that need it.

“The money we make just keeps the vehicles going for the food bank, so it’s important.”

Since the break-in, the team have cleared up what they can and got back to work at the charity shop.

But the break-ins have an impact of slowing down the work the charity.

Mr McLoughlin added: “The police were called, and they take details, and are trying to find the people responsible.

“But our situation has not changed, we are still looking for a permanent building to operate from and the sooner we can get out of here, the better.”

If you have any information about the break-ins contact police on 101.