Burglaries prompt Red Cross thrift shop in Horsens to enhance security measures

Over the past three months, the Church’s Red Cross thrift shop in Horsens has experienced two burglaries and one attempted break-in. The thieves have targeted cash using crowbars and cutting torches. However, the damage goes beyond financial loss, according to the shop’s coordinator, Svend Aage Nielsen. “They destroy more than they take. Doors, windows, and double-glazed panes need to be replaced, which creates significant unease for the volunteers working in the store,” he said.

In response to a string of burglaries, both the Church’s Red Cross and the Red Cross thrift stores in Horsens have ramped up security measures. The Church’s Red Cross store has installed surveillance equipment, including alarms and cameras, in an effort to deter thieves. This marks the first implementation of such a system within the charity’s 233 thrift stores. Nielsen stated, “We have only had the new system for a month, so it’s difficult to gauge its effectiveness. However, we hope it will stress the burglars enough to deter them.”

The Red Cross shop has also invested in improved security. Chairwoman Margit Winther expressed frustration over having to spend money on alarm systems that could be better used to help those in need. The primary motive behind the break-ins remains cash, which poses challenges for the thrift stores. Nielsen noted, “We can no longer deposit cash at banks, so we have contracted a company to collect it regularly,” a problem echoed by various thrift shops nationwide.

The financial pressures and safety concerns leave volunteers in a dilemma over handling cash, often forcing them into uncomfortable situations to manage their responsibilities without the proper banking facilities.