Undercover surveillance reveals the scale of ‘deliberate and calculated’ scavenging of donated goods outside SA charity stores

On an average night, there are 25 visits to closed SA charity stores — half of the people are there to give to our most vulnerable, and the other half are there to steal from them.

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Undercover surveillance by the state’s environmental watchdog reveals the extent of “deliberate and calculated” after-hours scavenging of donated goods left outside South Australian charity stores.

The Environment Protection Authority South Australia ran the covert operation in response to concerns over escalating and widespread scavenging raised by the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations.

The surveillance footage, released to the Sunday Mail by the EPA, shows people tearing open and emptying bags of donated items left outside an unnamed metropolitan Adelaide charity store, taking what they want before scattering the rest on the ground.

“Deliberate and calculated theft was taking place, with people coming prepared with torches to search through and locate donated items to steal, in some cases loading them into cars that were already full of what appeared to be bags of donations from other charity stores,” EPA investigations manager Stephen Barry said.

EPA officers recorded up to 25 visits from 6pm to midnight over three nights at the store in December last year and in April.

Scavenging at an Adelaide charity shop.

The EPA ran multiple undercover operations to understand the scope of the issue.

Half of those visitors were donating goods after hours, mostly bagged clothing, but the remaining half — both in a steady stream of vehicles and on foot — were observed stealing.

Mr Barry said EPA officers had witnessed several vehicles appearing more than once on the same night.

“Some people engaged in indiscriminate theft, loading whole bags of donations into their vehicles without even looking at the bags’ contents.

“Picked over donations were left spread across the entire store front and were susceptible to damage and spoiling, with charity staff and volunteers having to deal with the mess in the morning.”

Charity dumping near the RSPCA store in Kidman Park … Picture: RSPCA

… which volunteers have to clean up. Picture: RSPCA

In a united front, SA charities — including the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society, Animal Welfare League and RSPCA, are urging the public to donate goods during store hours and asking those in need to seek assistance from available support services.

“This behaviour (of scavenging) exploits the generosity of donors and organisations that are doing all they can to help people in need,” St Vincent de Paul Society SA CEO David Wark said.

“Leaving an absolute mess is really frustrating because our volunteers have to clean it up — so please, please donate during business hours and come inside for help if you need it, but don’t steal from us.”

“It’s actually heart breaking when you know it could be spent on helping more rescue animals,” says RSPCA Superstore Op Shop Kidman Park store manager Meg Gill of the associated costs caused by scavenging and unintentional/illegal dumping.

RSPCA Op Shop Store Manager Meg Gill and volunteer, Archie. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The peak body representing charities, NACRO, says scavenging is costing SA charities hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in stolen and damaged goods, staff time spent cleaning up mess, increased security measures and escalating landfill fees.

It’s an added expense, NACRO says, that diverts much needed funds from charitable works assisting some of South Australia’s most vulnerable residents.

“Not only are charities missing out on the donation, but are having to bear the cost of disposal for what is unusable by the morning,” NACRO SA representative Martin Nordstrom said.

“Please make your donation count by donating directly to the charity during store hours.”

Charities have installed security cameras and fences, and extended opening hours to include weekends and public holidays as a deterrent.

No charges have been laid over recent incidents.

CHARITIES THAT OFFER HOME COLLECTION SERVICES

Metro Adelaide: Salvos and Vinnies.

Limited metro collection: Australian Red Cross and Goodwill.

Regional: Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast in Port Augusta, Port Pirie and Whyalla.

(Restrictions and minimum amounts may apply)