Thieves Plunder Charity's Christmas Party

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Presents were intended for local children in need

Heartless thieves have stolen Christmas presents intended for children in need in Merton.

They broke into the Home-Start Merton headquarters in Western Road, Colliers Wood, on Tuesday (December 11) and took more than 70 presents intended for a Christmas party.

The party was due to take place the next morning and the burglars even took some of the food prepared for the event

Home-Start supports families in need with children under-five, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.

The presents had been donated by the local commmunity over several months through Wimbledon's Kings College School and the Wimbledon Guild.

Merton Councillor Miles Windsor said: "I am horrified that someone should commit such a heartless crime - stealing from underprivileged children in the run up to Christmas. It's disgusting."

But Home-Start, who went ahead with their party, are still determined all the families should receive a present. Generous members of the public have already been in touch to offer replacements.

Councillor Windsor added: "The generosity shown by the local community in offering replacement presents is one positive out of this. It restores my faith in humanity."

Anyone with information on the theft should call Merton Police on 101 or Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

December 14, 2012