Thieves ransack charity donations bin

Returned and Services League charitable community shop workers are fed up with night-time thieves running off with donated goods left near the store.

RSL secretary Robyn Middleton said she knew theft was a problem because of the mess she found outside the store each morning.

But the extent of the crime shocked her when security cameras at the shop's new South Hedland premises earlier this month captured five acts in three nights.

The footage shows men, women and even scooter-riding children as young as 10 calling by at 2am to steal goods.

Sometimes they rummaged through bags using a torch and sometimes they made off with kitchen goods and electronics, Ms Middleton said.

"A lot of it is mischief, but a lot of it is pure theft," she said.

"Mischief is just as much damage as pure theft because I have to pick up the mess (in the morning, and) I've got better things to do."

She said the thefts undermined the community shop's charitable work in recycling second-hand goods because items were being stolen before people in honest need had the chance to buy them.

She urged residents to visit the store during opening hours to donate goods or ensure their items fitted into the donation bin.

A South Hedland police spokeswoman said the station was aware of the issue and offenders stealing from outside the RSL would be charged.