Raiders 'target' animal charity

TARGET . . . the charity shop has been vandalised three times to the dismay of manager Karen Dissington

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AN animal charity says it is being targeted after its Limeside shop was vandalised three times in a week.

In the latest break-in, criminals tried to force their way into the Pennine Pen Animal Rescue charity shop via the metal shutters and ripped out the CCTV camera.

The damage to the bottom of the shutter was discovered when a volunteer staff member arrived for work at the Trough Gate shop yesterday morning.

Vandals had caused almost identical destruction just one week before which resulted in the charity having to fork out £750 for repairs.

Shop manager Karen Dissington said: "We are being targeted. We have had to close two of our shops because of this.

"They have bent the shutters again which will cost at least another £300.

"We are losing a lot of revenue which should be used for the charity and animal welfare."

On Monday, February 20, it was again a volunteer staff member who found the damage as they tried to lift the shutter to gain access.

But the motor had also been broken which costs around £400 to repair.

The charity installed a dummy CCTV camera to deter the vandals but were shocked to find it had been pulled out from above the door in the most recent act of criminal damage.

Ms Dissington said: "I couldn't believe it. They had ripped the shutter again which will cost money and they have also ripped the camera out from the top of the door."

She added: "I have to come and deal with the police and investigators who want to check for fingerprints which means we have to keep closing our shops.

"It is awful that we are being targeted like this."

Pennine Pen, which has two other shops in Egerton Street and Park Road, operates a rescue centre for abandoned and unwanted animals.

Funds from the sale of donated items at their three charity shops goes directly towards the running of this service.