Thieves target charity collection

AN auction room manager was left feeling physically ill after thieves broke in and stole charity boxes and a safe containing money and bank documents. Laverne Fountain discovered the break-in when she went to open up and found the safe, which normally takes five people to lift, was missing.

AN auction room manager was left feeling physically ill after thieves broke in and stole charity boxes and a safe containing money and bank documents.

Laverne Fountain discovered the break-in when she went to open up and found the safe, which normally takes five people to lift, was missing.

Police are still investigating the incident which took place last Saturday at Newbourne Auction, in Waldringfield.

Mrs Fountain said: “I locked up as normal and when I came back to reopen the next day the lock fell out into my hands.

“I went in to see that all the draws had been emptied and the cash tins were all over the floor. Then I turned round and saw that the safe was gone.”

The safe was later found by police in Copdock but its contents, including �300 cash and paying in books, had been removed.

A wheelbarrow was recovered half a mile from the auction house, which police believe may have been used to carry the safe.

Two charity boxes, which had been put in the auction room to collect money for local charity Genesis Mencap, were also stolen during the raid.

Mrs Fountain said: “Both boxes were full of coins. I can understand the safe being taken but it's very heartless to take two charity boxes.”

Newbourne Auction has been forced to take extra security precautions after discovering that security cameras overlooking the building were turned skywards by thieves at the time of the break-in.

Mrs Fountain was left feeling uneasy after the burglary and admitted being unwell as a result. She said: “It was a real shock and I was physically sick for days afterwards. I find I'm looking at everyone with suspicion now.”