Concerned by the lack of police patrols in the High Street, a charity shop manager is this week appealing to other businesses within Midsomer Norton to work together and be vigilant against thieves, having suffered the loss of two amounts of cash in less than a fortnight.

Nicky Bartlett, from the Sue Ryder charity shop in Midsomer Norton, says the store has been targeted twice – on 7th July between 12.30 p.m. – 1.10 p.m. and again on 20th July, believing it to be the same suspect. Each time, cash was stolen.

Upping their security, Nicky says that a lack of police presence means that theft seems to be on the rise in Midsomer Norton and that fellow traders should be watchful. Speaking to The Journal this week, she said: “I was at the regeneration of Midsomer Norton meeting a few months ago and whilst I know that charity shops are not the town’s favourite subject, the police have called us a ‘soft target’ for criminals – as a community, we should all work together to help our businesses – and the police, who are stretched to the limit.

“I feel very uncomfortable – both myself and my staff’s movements have been monitored – it’s a really horrible feeling.

“I left the shop to have a lunch break, which I rarely do at that time – a volunteer was on the shop floor at the till. We had been very busy the day before, and that morning, I had stored the cash in a locked filing cabinet in my office. When I left, I made sure the cabinet was locked and the cash was there. On my return, I unlocked the cabinet and the cash was gone.

“I contacted the police, my Head Office and Area Manager – I was devastated, and found it very hard to work that afternoon.

“On the Saturday, I found a ripped envelope to the side of my desk, and contacted the police regarding possible fingerprints. I also put in a new lock on the door to the stock room to secure when working alone.

“The police have taken my prints and the envelope to be investigated.

“This is not the first time we have had money stolen. We were broken in to earlier this year through our fire escape door and the float for the till was taken.

“Most recently, on the 20th July, I was going to relieve a volunteer; closing, but not locking the storeroom door. I returned two minutes later to find a man in my office, who said he thought it was part of the shop, despite it clearly reading ‘private and staff only’ on the door.

“I asked to see in his bags, as he had two rucksacks with him, but I started to feel intimidated, as I had the door closed behind me and he left. Quickly scanning the office, I found the cabinet open. I immediately followed him through the shop and asked him why he was in the locked cabinet – he said something under his breath and left.

“I immediately called 999 and gave a description, but no police came.

“Whilst my bag was not touched, some cash was gone, and I believe it is possible it was the same person who burgled us on 7th July.

“We have a round robin system amongst the charity shops in Midsomer Norton to warn of thieves, but some of these are out of date or not used – and I think it is time that the traders worked together to try and protect themselves.

“What we need is some kind of radio controlled system, whereby we can all share information, and after these latest incidents, we have certainly increased our security as a result.”

If any readers saw any suspicious activity on Friday, 7th or Thursday, 20th July in Midsomer Norton, please contact the police via 101 using the reference number: 5217154194.

The charity shop has since held a fundraising cake sale to try and recoup some of the funds lost, with more due to be held in future. They have a dedicated team of volunteers based on site in Midsomer Norton, some of whom have been helping out for 25 years.