CHARITY shops in Dorset are losing thousands of pounds every week to shoplifters, it has been revealed.

Heartless thieves are depriving good causes of cash by stealing donated goods from under the noses of volunteer shop staff.

Managers at some charity shops are considering the drastic measure of installing expensive CCTV cameras in a bid to stop crime.

But most admit such security measures are too expensive.

"People come in and try on a pair of shoes, put the ones they were wearing back in the basket and walk out," said Ruth, manager at the Red Cross shop in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

"I've had to take the mirrors off the walls in the changing rooms because people were hiding tags and hangers behind them."

Staff at the shop said they are losing up to £120 worth of stock every week, sometimes more than the amount they make through the sale of goods.

And they said they are having difficulty recruiting volunteers because they often feel intimidated by the thieves.

A portable radio has been given to staff in order to provide a link to other retailers in the area. It has a panic button with a direct link to police in case of am emergency.

Linda Hackwell, manager of the Age Concern shop in Christchurch Road, Boscombe, said thieves have made off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods in recent weeks.

"We had a gold bracelet stolen from behind the counter and we were burgled, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage," she added.

"People come in to try on a pair of trousers and then walk out, leaving their filthy old jeans on the hanger. Thieves take advantage because we don't have security tags on our goods."

First published: November 3, 2005