Tiverton Charity Shop Targeted in Overnight Burglary
Damage caused in the break-in will cost the charity hundreds of pounds just weeks after its new Tiverton shop opened
Last updated 14th Jul 2025
Devon Air Ambulance’s new charity shop in Tiverton has been left damaged and staff shaken after a burglary in the early hours of Saturday morning.
CCTV footage captured the intruder forcing entry just before 1am by kicking in the front door and shattering the glass. Once inside, the man made his way to the till point and attempted to access a secured donation box.
After struggling to remove it, he eventually broke it free and took it to the back of the shop, where he used a pair of scissors to stab and cut into the plastic container until the coins were released.
The man then returned to the shop floor and gathered several items of clothing and costume jewellery before leaving the scene at 1:13am, nearly 30 minutes after he arrived. He left the front doors wide open.
The burglary was discovered shortly afterwards by a group passing by, who raised the alarm and contacted police.
The break-in comes just eight weeks after the charity shop opened its doors to the Tiverton community. Staff say the damage caused, particularly to the now-unusable front doors, will cost several hundred pounds to repair- an unexpected blow to a charity that relies heavily on public support.
Many of the staff are volunteers, and the incident has left them upset and disheartened.
“This thoughtless attack on a local charity has not only caused financial damage but also emotional upset to those who give their time to help others,” a spokesperson for Devon Air Ambulance said. “We exist to support people in their time of greatest need, and it's heart-breaking to be targeted in this way.”
Police are appealing for anyone with information that might support the investigation to get in touch.
Those with information should email PC Arrowsmith at Tiverton Police Station: [email protected], quoting crime number: 50250179055.