WORKERS at a Devizes charity which has been hit by thefts two weekends in a row is appealing for help to get a secure storage container.

Furniture charity KFR on the Hopton Industrial Estate receives donations of unwanted household goods on a regular basis but often has to leave large electrical goods outside while awaiting safety checks.

Two weeks ago a man using two young children as cover was spotted on CCTV tampering with fridges and washing machines. He was seen to steal motors and other parts and cut pipes making it impossible to repair the appliances.

Last weekend another theft took place and the two incidents has spurred the charity on to try and get secure storage.

Volunteer co-ordinator Debbie Bentley said: "We realise that we must have a secure place to store goods either somewhere else in Devizes or for us to raise the £2,000 we would need so we can have our own container. This is now very much a priority for us."

The charity has also been hit by changes in how Wiltshire Council charges for recycling. Ms Bentley said: "We have to pay for annual passes for recycling and also pay £140 per ton for our landfill with a minimum charge if we don’t take a full ton.

"This all used to be free of charge and the charges received last financial year from October 2016 to September 2017 Oct 16-Sept 17 were equivalent to our funding shortfall.

"This is has meant we have to be very particular with donations we can accept from the public. The particular difficulty with refrigeration is we cannot avoid collecting it as we cannot guarantee items are fully working and safe until we test them."

The increase in charges for recycling appears to have led to more flytipping in the county but Wiltshire Council has defended its decision to put up charges and last week it decided to put up the cost for collecting heavy items such as fridges from £12 to £23 per item.

But finance portfolio holder Philip Whitehead said it was necessary to increase charges to balance the books.

Council leader Jane Scott said that an extra £668,000 would be allocated to improve the environment and combat litter and fly-tipping.