'Bank robbers' start new fashion

The recession could be contributing to a surge in an unusual type of bank robbery, with charities reporting an increase in raids on clothing banks. Oxfam Ireland has estimated that it lost up to a third of its donated stock at the start of this year due to organised raids at its donation sites.

The charity said the price of recycled garments is at an all-time high. The British Heart Foundation also said hundreds of bags of donated clothing were being stolen from doorsteps.

Oxfam Ireland has almost 50 clothing banks across Northern Ireland. Its District Retail Manager, Nyree Tubritt, said the number of raids had increased over the last 18 months, with thieves going to extreme and even dangerous lengths in their demand for second-hand goods.



"Locks are being cut off with bolt cutters, locks are being cut off with laser cutters. Keys are being cut for our banks." she said. "Anecdotally, people are being dropped into the banks - which is very dangerous - to access the stock.

"Doors are being pulled off the banks, and these are sheet steel doors, so they must be being pulled off by vehicles." Ms Tubritt explained that she had also watched CCTV footage of several raids on their clothing banks at various supermarkets car parks.

She described gangs jumping out of unmarked vans to break into the containers. "I've seen them raid a bank in under three minutes. A squad will get out of a van and clear an entire bank, 30,40 50 bags in under three minutes," she said.

With news video.