Heartless thieves smash up Sheffield RSPCA charity shop and steal just £50

Heartless crooks smashed their way in to the RSPCA charity shop on Lound Side, Chapeltown, using a large rock and took off with petty cash worth a measly £50.

The thieves tore out a till drawer and dumped it in a nearby cricket field. The damage to the front of the shop was described as 'extensive' and the back door lock was ripped off.

The break-in is thought to have happened between Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

This is the second time the shop has been targeted by crooks and the charity is trying gather funds to install CCTV and pay the insurance excess.

A spokesman from the charity said: "As a Sheffield based charity, the money we raise goes directly to the Sheffield Animal Centre who do not receive any funding from the government or the National Society towards running costs.

"They rely solely on the fundraising from Sheffield. Last year we had to close two of our shops and we've been looking at ways to make the most from all the donations we get, so we can support the centre as much as we can.

"Between the weather last week and now this incident – we are now really struggling, so we've set up a fundraising appeal to help pay for the damage, the insurance excess and for extra security measures so this won't happen to us again.

To donate to CCTV fund, click hereAnyone with any information is being urged to call South Yorkshire Police on 101.