Staff at Compton Hospice have been left sickened by a heartbreaking spate of burglaries at a number of its high street shops which has cost the charity nearly £4,500.

Thieves have taken more than £2,000 in cash and caused damage totalling another £2,000 in the three raids at the charity’s shops in the Black Country. 

The break-ins, which have taken place over a seven-month period, have included the Sedgley shop being broken into twice in just six months, and the Dudley shop in September.

The total bill for the burglaries has been £4,460. Sue Chance, head of Compton’s trading division, is overseeing a review of security in the wake of the raids. She said: “This has left staff at these shops feeling very shocked. Stealing from a hospice is about as low as you can get.” 

Police are still investigating the incidents. No arrests have been made. Sue said: “It’s a real body blow when burglaries like this take place. It not only affects the care we’re able to give, it also means that the hard work of our volunteers is stolen too.”

She added: “For people to have gone to the trouble to donate their belongings or to volunteer, only to see their hard work destroyed, is heartbreaking.”