Safe and protein powder stolen from charity shops in Winton

Charity shops, barbers, and Holland & Barrett are among those affected.

Money, three tubs of protein, and a safe were stolen from the stores.

The first reported break-in was Holland & Barrett on October 31.

Sam Ashby, the manager at Dorset Mind said: “ I know so far that Sue Ryder, Trussel Trust, Holland and Barrett, Lewis Manning, and Barnardo’s were broken into.

“The manager of Bernardo's came and popped in to say that they'd taken the safe.

“And the barbershop round the corner, I went in yesterday and they were redoing their door.

The 37-year-old added: “We've had all sorts of calls warning us. Fortunately, our front window and door are quite strong.

"It might be the case that the less well-protected windows are getting smashed first.”

A shop worker who wishes to remain unnamed said: “I was opening the store at 8.30 in the morning when I noticed the smashed window.

“The fruit and veg people next door were unloading their van. So, I asked and they said they thought it happened around 7am.

“They were outside, kicking the window with their foot, watching around because people were going to work or whatever, so they kept stopping and starting.”

All the affected stores had the same pattern of a front window smashed in.

Now, the smashed windows have been boarded up to prevent further attacks.

Dorset Mind, another charity store, was not targeted by vandals.

A spokesperson for Sue Ryder said: “I came to work Tuesday and somebody kicked the bottom of the door in. They stole our money float.

“We're just trying to pick ourselves up and carry on because it's all we can do and we've lost a day’s takings.

“It's very unfortunate, but everybody's been very good, the locals, lots of support.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “At 8.17am on Sunday 12 November 2023, Dorset Police received a report of a burglary at the Barnardo’s charity shop in Wimborne Road, Bournemouth.

“No arrests have currently been made and enquiries are ongoing.”