Reward offered to track Peace Hospice burglars (From Watford Observer)

Crimestoppers offers reward to track Peace Hospice shop burglars

5:00pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Adam Binnie, Senior Reporter

A reward of £1,000 has been offered for information about a double burglary in a Watford charity shop.

The Peace Hospice shop, in Lower High Street, was broken into overnight on February 8 and again on February 11.

After being broken into last year security bars were put up on the windows, but burglars found a new way in and stole hundreds of pounds in cash from a safe.

Now Crimestoppers are offering a reward for any information leading to the arrest and charge of those responsible.

Sue Plummer, Peace Hospice chief executive, said: "I've been appalled by the whole thing really.

"Not only have we had to contend with the theft, but the thieves have also caused hundreds of pounds in damage.

"We rely on our shops to provide more than a third of the income we need each year to keep our hospice services going. "It's been a very tough year for our shops in the economic climate, so this latest break-in has really added to our frustration."

The police are investigating the two burglaries, and have confirmed the burglars got in through a window at the back of the shop, before forcing open a safe inside the building.

The second time, the criminals got in through the roof and ceiling. Inquiries are ongoing and there have been no arrests yet.

DS Ian Siggery, from the Watford local crime unit, said: "The shop doesn’t have large amounts of money on site and on both occasions the offenders have caused a large amount of damage by breaking in. How low can these people go?"

You can telephone Hertfordshire Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Those giving information will not have to give a statement to police or go to court, and the reward can be claimed without having to reveal identity.

The Peace Hospice needs £4 million in charitable income a year to continue to provide free care to patients across South West Herts with a life limiting illness.