CHARITY donations are being stolen by criminals.

Thieves have been stealing bags left for collection outside homes and from containers where people can leave items.

Alison Lowe, of Oxford Road, Lostock, was delivering some clothes to the Oxfam container at Tesco, Middlebrook, when she saw three people in a hired van park up and empty the contents of the box then rush off.

She said: “Two young men and a young lady were inside the van. They proceeded to open it and quickly empty all of the clothing, dropping some on the floor in their hurry. The van was already packed full of bags of clothing — it’s obvious they were stealing them.”

Insp Wayne Readfern, for Bolton North Neighbourhood Policing Team, advised people to report any suspicious behaviour.

He said: “If there are any suspicious vehicles or people hanging around the area people should call the police and we will check them out.”

He advised people to take items for donation direct to charity stores.

Police said they suspected many incidents go unreported due to items no longer being wanted by owners.

Cllr Lindsey Kell, for Horwich and Blackrod, said: “I am saddened to hear of such incidents locally and I would urge residents not to be put off donating to charities as a result.

“Charities perform excellent work throughout our community and they continue to struggle in the current economic climate. I urge residents to be vigilant and to report any incidents to the local police, who can investigate and take action.”

In another recent incident, Leanne Labrow said items her mother had left outside her home in Saxon Close, Bury, were taken by someone in a van who appeared to have an ID badge around his neck.

But 30 minutes later an Air Ambulance van came onto the road to collect the bags, which had already been taken.

Lynda Brislin, chief executive of the North West Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Clothing collections are a vital part of our funding so we're disappointed to find out people are abusing the trust of our supporters and fraudulently collecting clothing on our behalf.”

Suspicious activity can be reported to the police by dialing 101.