THE Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, Cannonvale, is asking people to drop off donations from Monday to Friday and not leave goods at the centre, on the weekend.
In a shocking revelation, the Neighbourhood Centre’s executive officer Rebecca Woods said people were, unfortunately, stealing donations from the charitable organisation on weekends, in broad daylight.
CCTV cameras have captured some of the outrageous behaviour and police are looking into it but, so far, no one has been apprehended.
Ms Woods said the thieves’ behaviour was ‘blatant’.
“Every single weekend people come through here and help themselves,” she said.
“They are blatantly stealing things with the intent of selling them.
“They are opportunistic – they are doing it weekly. I’ve had several in one weekend – one stole a lawn mower and another a couch.
“As always, it’s a few people in the community spoiling it for everyone else.”
Ms Woods said there were not enough staff available to be available to store the donations ‘behind closed doors’ on weekends.
“People want to donate on the weekend but we can’t be open on the weekend to get them behind closed doors,” she said.
“We desperately need people’s donations because our donations stay local, 100 per cent guaranteed. We fund the projects here in the Whitsundays.
“Please help us by dropping off your donations from Monday to Friday and we will hopefully thwart these thieves.”
If anyone has any information about the incident, they can report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
Or call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
