Thieves raid PDSA charity head office in Telford

The animal charity, which provides 2.7 million treatments to sick and injured pets every year, was targeted on Thursday at around 11.50pm.

A gang of four people broke two external glass doors in order to gain entry to PDSA’s Head Office in Whitechapel Way, Priorslee, Telford.

PDSA Head of Property Services, David Moorhouse, said: “The intruders broke their way into the reception area where they took two antique model dog collection boxes containing cash donations.

“Due to the robust security doors and internal shutters thankfully they weren’t able to make it past the reception and into the main building.”

David said the break-in had triggered the security alarm, but the intruders fled before police arrived. They were captured on CCTV and police are investigating.

He said staff had been left “devastated” by the break-in and that the charity had also suffered financially as a result.

“We’re all shocked that someone could do something like this.

“The staff arrived this morning to find the doors boarded up and were upset that people could target a charity in this way.

“Not only have we lost the antique model dog collection boxes, which included visitors’ donations, but we’ve got to pay to replace the large glass panels that have been smashed in the two external doors.

“We’ve been clearing up the mess today but we’re open as usual, we refuse to let these heartless people deter us from our vital role helping poorly pets.”

PDSA has issued an urgent appeal to help raise money following the incident. To help please call the contact centre on 0800 975 9575. Supporters can also donate via its website at www.pdsa.org.uk

The antique model dog collection boxes are extremely rare, with only a small number thought to remain across the entire charity.

Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to call West Mercia Police on 101.