Thieves steal gifts from shop Christmas tree

A PAIR of thieves have been branded “disgusting” after snatching presents donated for families in need.

- By NAOMI CORRIGAN

A giving tree had been set up at Gabrielle's Ice Cream Parlour in Redcar, for people to leave gifts for the Footprints in the Community toy appeal.

Scores of kindhearted people had dropped in donations over the past couple of weeks, but on Sunday staff were dismayed on realising some bags were missing.

On Sunday Millie Jenkins, a supervisor at the shop on The Esplanade in Redcar, on checking CCTV saw the thieves in shameful action. The footage has since been handed over to Cleveland Police.

In an appeal on Facebook, staff at the shop said: “These gifts were kindly donated by our community to bring joy to disadvantaged children and it’s deeply upsetting to see them taken.

“Please do the right thing and bring the gifts back so they can reach the children they were intended for.”