POLICE in Bude are warning the community and businesses to be ‘extra vigilant’ in securing their premises, after an increase in crime figures for burglaries to charity shops.

Devon and Cornwall Police have recently announced that they received a peak in their crime figures for burglaries to charity shops last month.

They have urged businesses to check the security of their premises.

A spokesperson said: “We would like to remind the general public and businesses to be extra vigilant in securing their belongings and stock, and to be mindful of their own security procedures.

“This is not to cause any unnecessary concern.”

This follows news that both the Age Concern and British Red Cross charity shops in Bude had been burgled early last week (Monday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 24), after another series of burglaries that occurred on Queen Street and Belle Vue Road in September last year.

The incidents have shocked shop staff, volunteers and members of the public.

Last week the Post reported that the chairman of the Bude branch of Age Concern, Tony Harper, called the break-ins ‘a despicable act.’

He believed the burglars may have known their way around the shop to find the safe, which included £50 in cash and a set of keys to the shop, which the charity has since had to replace.

Mr Harper said: “Age Concern is a charity shop and we will no longer have a safe or keep money overnight on the premises.

“If anyone knows where the safe may have been dumped or left, it might be of interest for people to let the police know.”

For anyone looking for advice in relation to this, contact [email protected].

Police are appealing to anyone with any information, no matter how trivial, to contact them on 101 for general enquiries, or 999 in an emergency.

The spokesperson added: “This is also a reminder to all general public to continue to report any suspicious activities.”