Thief steals charity cash

A thief smashed through a pet store's front window in Kidderminster and stole six charity boxes containing around £250 in cash.

The raid happened at Wilson's Pet Centre, New Road, at 3.20pm yesterday.

The shop was left with a £300 repair bill for the broken window.

CCTV cameras show the hooded thief smashed through the 11ft by 2ft window with a tool and then ran to the counter where he helped himself to the boxes.

The thief took boxes destined for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust, Forest Dog Rescue, Cat Action Trust and Royal Society For Protection of Birds by stuffing them in a rucksack.

He also took a bag of RSPB lapel pin badges.

Police have described the thief as white, aged in his mid to late teens. He was wearing a black top with a white hood and black tracksuit bottoms.

Store general manager Stuart Lane said: "Stealing charity boxes for animals is just the lowest of the low, especially at Christmas time.

"He was pretty determined because he made a right mess of the window to get inside. The boxes were all full and would have been quite heavy to carry.

"I just hope somebody somewhere knows who is responsible and turns him in." Witnesses can contact Kidderminster Police on 08457 444888 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.