CALLOUS thieves stole sacks of clothes left by families for pet charity PDSA. They struck in Harris Road, Dagenham, last week, using a bright orange van and taking bags from outside homes. A pensioner confronted them, but noticed it was a different van t

CALLOUS thieves stole sacks of clothes left by families for pet charity PDSA.

They struck in Harris Road, Dagenham, last week, using a bright orange van and taking bags from outside homes.

A pensioner confronted them, but noticed it was a different van to the one that normally comes to collect the bags.

She said: "I asked them for some ID and they didn't have any. So I said 'I think you are stealing. I want my sack back'.

"They did give it back, but they took everybody else's on my street. I think it's just awful."

The woman said the gang was a man aged 30 to 35, a woman aged 20 to 25 with blonde hair, wearing a lime green tracksuit, and a black man in the back of the van.

"Thieving from a charity is the lowest of the low," she added.

Christine O'Rourke, Ilford PDSA shop manager, said: "Sadly, this isn't the first time it has happened.

"I'm disgusted that people can steal from a charity like this.

"We've lost out on valuable donations that would have helped raise vital funds for pets in need of vets."

Genuine PDSA collectors travel in a navy blue van with PDSA written on the side and always carry identification.

If anyone sees unauthorised people taking charity bags, they should dial 999.

To help make up for this loss, pet lovers can take unwanted items to the charity's shop in 58 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, or arrange for their items to be collected via www.pdsa.org.uk.