Four Hayling Island businesses broken into as yobs make off with charity boxes and electrical equipment
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The break-ins rocked firms on Hayling Island while Storm Dennis' conditions forced many residents inside.
The Hayling Island Bookshop in Mengham Road was left exposed after thieves hurled a sign through its front door at about 10pm on Friday.
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Hide AdThey took a barcode scanner and a charity box containing donations for the Hayling Island Community First Responders.
Colin Telford, the shop's events manager, said: ‘Whoever broke in must have crawled through the broken glass – had it fallen on them they could have bled to death for the sake of a few pounds.
‘We are saddened their life is so desperate that they are in a situation where that seems like an option.
‘There can’t have been much in the tin because we had only just started collecting for the responders.’
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Hide AdKindhearted helpers from NK Growns Electrical and The New Clothing Company boarded up the door an hour after the break-in.
Money stolen, one first responder said, would likely have gone on the charity’s fuel, equipment and uniform expenses.
Co-ordinator Phil Pritchard, said: ‘We’re a charity which relies heavily on the island and we run mainly on donations of the islanders.
‘This will undoubtedly have an impact on our fundraising but it will not affect us operationally.
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Hide Ad‘For someone to go to that length, I hope their need was greater than ours.’
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Shards of glass were strewn around Vets4Pets in Elm Grove when its front door was smashed by a yob with a rock on Sunday.
Three charity boxes were stolen and neighbours united to repair the damage.
Taking to Facebook, student veterinary nurse Sophie Willmott said staff at the site were ‘eternally grateful’ for the support.
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Hide AdShe added: ‘To the little scumbags who thought it would be amusing to steal our charity boxes, I bet your parents are so proud of you.’
Three charity boxes were stolen after Wilson Wakefield Solicitors in Station Road was broken into at about 11pm on Sunday.
West Town Service Wash was also targeted.