'Scumbag' thieves steal hospice charity box

4:09pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Jennifer Bell, Crime reporter

Neil Horwell, of Horwell Brothers in Mansfield Street, York, surveys the damage to his business after thieves broke in and stole a charity box Neil Horwell, of Horwell Brothers in Mansfield Street, York, surveys the damage to his business after thieves broke in and stole a charity box

THIEVES have been condemned after they smashed their way into a York scrap metal yard and stole a hospice charity box.

The culprits broke into the Horwell Brothers scrap metal merchants yard in Mansfield Street, off Foss Islands Road, in the early hours of yesterday and stole the contents of the box, which was clearly marked for the St Leonard’s Hospice and was full with about £35 to £40.

Police called the theft “particularly upsetting” and urged anyone with information to come forward.

The hospice, in Tadcaster Road, York, cares for people with cancer or other life-threatening illness.

Neil Horwell, owner of the scrap metal yard, said he was alerted to the break-in when an alarm sounded at the site at about 3.30am.

After he arrived, he noticed shattered glass on the floor and damage to a steel reinforced door.

The thieves tried to enter through the door and when that failed, smashed two windows to get to the charity box which was chained to a desk in Mr Horwell’s office.

He said: “They obviously spent a lot of time trying to break in. The windows are double-glazed and the charity box was chained to my desk so it would have been a hell of a job to get to.

“We have a lot of copper and lead here so we have taken precautions and a rigorous alarm system.

“The only word for these thieves is scumbag. Absolute scumbag. This money was for the St Leonard’s Hospice.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Any burglary is a distressing experience for the victim and on this occasion it is particularly upsetting as money which was being collected to help a charitable cause has been stolen.”

Witnesses can phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Comments(14)

spockboy2 says...
4:25pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Nice of the press to let us comment on this so here is the first constructive comment I have wrote for a while :
'' Hope you die very slowly you morons'' !

Report this post »

StainedGlassDiva says...
4:29pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Hmn call me cynical, but I just wonder if the thieves noticed the money box whilst they were in there selling/trading in stolen lead and copper...

Report this post »

Hicarrumba says...
4:39pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Yeah not often we get to comment this type of thing, well done press and hope these scummy B@st@rds get what they need, and that isn't 5 weeks detox.

Report this post »

YSTClinguist says...
4:41pm Thu 12 Jul 12

This is why you don't leave anything valuable and portable on show behind any window, be it house, car or business. The cost of the window replacement, insurance premiums and police time is massively above the £35-40 that was purportedly in the collection box.

Report this post »

Even AndyD says...
5:06pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Just back from Clumber Park caravan site. Miles from anywhere, full security, barriers etc - woke up this morning to find several cars had had their windows carefully removed and contents taken. While the owners in adjacent caravans! Certainly a reminder to always be vigilant.

Report this post »

steve_york says...
5:34pm Thu 12 Jul 12

bring back hanging, theres no room in the cells!

Report this post »

big boy york says...
6:25pm Thu 12 Jul 12

utter scumbags

Report this post »

RingoStarr says...
6:58pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Wonder if the thieves had travelled far?

Report this post »

Yorkie41 says...
7:36pm Thu 12 Jul 12

some one that has been their before, with scrap an noticed where it was, just like you see people in the day time walking up and down the street to see what you may have in your gardens that could be stolen. (when caught, not be Guv I was told I could have this that was in this garden.) Lying Toads.

Report this post »

powerwatt says...
9:36pm Thu 12 Jul 12

RingoStarr wrote:
Wonder if the thieves had travelled far?
I don't think it is too far to james street

Report this post »

Hollywood Star says...
9:53pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Hope they or their family members ever need the help from the hospice.........hope they rot in hell !

Report this post »

Hollywood Star says...
9:55pm Thu 12 Jul 12

that should have said , hope they "NEVER" need the help from hospice

Report this post »

Woody Mellor says...
11:02pm Thu 12 Jul 12

Hollywood Star wrote:
that should have said , hope they "NEVER" need the help from hospice
Bit harsh on the scums family, wouldn't you say?

That said. The Press website is getting worse everyday.

1. Getting later everyday with reports and updates.

2. Less and less are we allowed to comment on articles/reports.

3. If The Press doesn't agree with our comments,they delete them without explanation.

Report this post »

manhattanmister says...
8:04am Sat 14 Jul 12

Thieves also stole Royal Doulton and other ornaments from Age Concern Walmgate recently

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree