retail environment
European gangs are 'bagging' millions in charity donations
Organised international gangs are targeting charity donated black bag collections which are preventing international fundraisers getting aid to the world’s needy, according to watchdog groups Clothes Aid and Charitybags.org.
The organisations, which are trying to encourage householders to deliver their donations directly into stores, said theft of filled bags is costing charities millions of pounds each year because of the bag’s vulnerability – often left on drives and kerb sides and outside charity shops overnight.
Thieves include petty criminals and organised thieves, specifically targeting collections, with their own vans and competing collectors.
With organised gangs, typically the clothes go abroad - especially to Eastern Europe (e.g. Lithuania and the Ukraine), by container lorry.
There have been many reports of bags of clothes intended for British charities, being spotted in Eastern Europe and Africa. Often the bags have the charity logo on them.
The watchdog said there is scope for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to take a more active role at ports to stop these cargoes.
Clothes Aid experiences serious problems with thefts of their filled bags. Google lists dozens of items on this issue.
Clothes Aid has its own collection protection team (including motorcycle patrols) - which monitors collections, attempts to reduce thefts and tries to secure prosecutions.
In the past, often the Police have been unwilling to prosecute clothing-bag thieves, even when overwhelming evidence has been given to them.
