Thieves help themselves to charity donation bins

AN increasing trend of criminals treating charity donation bins as their personal shop is being challenged by 'Vinnies' diocesan president John Elich.

AN increasing trend of criminals treating charity donation bins as their personal shop is being challenged by St Vincent de Paul Society Diocesan president John Elich.

He said taking items from the bins - and those left outside - was a criminal act and would be treated as such.

The "Vinnies" charity bin at Ruthven and Long Sts was targeted by a woman who was caught on video at the weekend rummaging through stock and making off with items.

A woman is seen taking items from a Vinnies charity bin.

The footage was posted on a Toowoomba crime-watch Facebook page and the low act was widely denounced.

The woman who captured the footage lives nearby and asked not to be named.

She said the act was all too common at the charity.

The theft comes after five people in Helidon were charged with stealing from charity bins around the region.

St Vincent de Paul Society Toowoomba diocesan president John Elich is frustrated over reports of people stealing from charity bins. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Elich said stealing from bins was a long-standing issue in Toowoomba and dealing with it was a challenge.

He said the group helped about 40 desperate and poor families every day, and stealing from the charity bins was, in effect, stealing from them.

He offered to help the thieves, but said it needed to be done the right way.

"All they need to do is contact the society and we'll help in any way we can.

"It's a pity they decide to help themselves in terms of contributions that other people make."

Part of the problem lies in the way people donate to the charity.

If donations are dropped off over the weekend they lie vulnerable to thieves.

Mr Elich thanked people for their donations and asked for them to be made during weekdays or on Saturdays.

Originally published as Thieves help themselves to charity donation bins