As sick as you can get!

That's how a Sidley resident described looters taking donated clothes from a charity collection bin.

Peter White, who lives off Ninfield Road, has twice seen members of the public stealing from the Salvation Army recycle container in the car park.

He contacted the Observer to say: "It's about as immoral as you can possibly get - thieving from charities."

He now wants to warn anyone thinking of donating clothes to take them to a charity shop during opening hours.

Peter commented: "I take recycling down to the car park in Sidley to dispose of it, and for the last two consecutive Sundays, I have seen members of the public removing clothing from the Salvation Army container and helping themselves to it.

"I would like to tell people - please do not put your clothing in that container - take it directly to one of the charity shops when they are open.

"To have members of the public helping themselves to charitable donations is to my mind as sick as you can get.

"I'm sure other people must have seen it - there are houses and flats there that overlook the site.

"What is the point in ringing the police - they are not going to bother to turn up to this. But it is a crime against the community, if not perhaps a crime the police would consider prosecuting.

"I told my wife when I got back...she and I were both fuming together.

"But we have to make it clear to the public - you must not leave clothing in that container, because it will not reach its destination."

The Observer made the police aware of the incident.

Inspector James Scott said: "Our line on this is that this does amount to theft as once the items are placed in the recycling bins they would become the property of the recycling bin owner.

"Police would take a robust stance and positive action against anyone caught stealing from these."