SOMEONE is slashing clothing on the racks of op shops and charity stores in Nowra.
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Security will be improved at the Red Cross Shop in Schofield Lane after a number of garments were found with 10cm cuts down the back.
The shop is staffed by volunteers who sell clothing and books to raise money for the Red Cross.
A few months ago, the volunteers noticed a number of garments with long cuts.
Red Cross shop manager Shirley Shantwyk said at first the volunteers assumed someone accidentally cut the clothes while opening a box.
It was the more expensive items including suits, leather jackets and women’s dresses.
“Then more slashed items started turning up and we realised we had a problem,” Mrs Shantwyk said.
“The volunteers here work really hard and to have this happen is heartbreaking.
“We reported this to the police and will be upgrading our security,” she said.
The same type of attack has been discovered at Vinnies Nowra and Ulladulla op shops but it has been happening for years.
According to Vinnies Shoalhaven regional manager Rod Douglass, the problem began about two years ago.
He said Nowra and Ulladulla stores were being attacked by what he thought was someone with a small razor blade.
“At least a couple of times a day people bring slashed clothing to the counter,” he said.
“We have had 20 to 30 garments slashed in one session, and they are doing it to our very best clothes.
“We’re hearing it from other stores, the same thing is happening to them,” he said.
Mr Douglass said it would happen regularly and then stop for a few months before starting again.
“The person doing this is quite possibly someone who could use our help themselves but doing this is taking money away from us, money we would put toward helping other people.
“It also disheartens our volunteers who work really hard to make the shop look like a normal retail store.
“If anyone hears or knows anything please phone us on 4421 7244.”