Police appeal for information following burglary

STAFF at a Harpenden charity shop which raises funds for children receiving hospice care were horrified to discover the store was burgled earlier this month.

Laptops and jewellery were taken from Keech Hospice Care charity shop on Bowers Parade, High Street, in the burglary which occurred between 8pm on Friday July 1 and 8.50am Saturday July 2.

It was one of two charity stores in Harpenden targeted by burglars on July 1, with an attempted burglary at Help The Aged, Harding Parade, Station Road, between 6.30pm and 8am.

Police are appealing for information about both incidents, with a spokeswoman saying that they are investigating a possible link between the two crimes.

Burglars smashed through a glass window to gain entry to the Keech Hospice Care charity shop.

Keech retail manager, Philip Kojcinovic, said: “Our Harpenden shop is one of many which play a vital role in raising funds for Keech Hospice Care.

“We’re the only hospice service caring for children with life-limiting illnesses from across the whole of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes and every year we need to raise huge sums of money to keep that service going.

“Everyone at the hospice works so hard to support these children and their families and it is a shock to see there are people who are willing to take some of that away.”

He said that dedicated staff and volunteers at the shop were horrified to discover the break-in, and that customers had been sympathetic and supportive.

The shop is appealing for donations to help it restock and maintain its supply of good quality items to sell.