The charity hopes generous residents can donate pre-loved belongings to restock the boutique and raise funds to replenish the stolen cash

Housing charity Shelter is appealing for donations after its recently-opened boutique shop in Hampstead Heath was broken into.

A safe containing £255 in cash and the office computer were stolen after thieves smashed their way through a glass door to gain entry to the shop.

The store, situated on South End Road, raises money for Shelter to help fight against bad housing and homelessness in the city.

In the borough of Camden alone, 68 households became homeless in the last year.

Shelter is calling on the people of Hampstead to support the shop following the theft and donate any pre-loved clothing, books, or household items to help restock the boutique.

Sales will raise money to help replace the stolen cash.

David Cryer, Shelter’s Head of Operations for Shops, said: “We’re extremely saddened that the Boutique By Shelter shop in Hampstead Heath was broken into over the weekend.

“Since the shop opened in October, the team have been working hard to make the shop a success and we’re extremely grateful to the local community for supporting it.

“It’s a great shame that in the run up to Christmas, the shop was broken into and over £250 in cash was stolen.

“It is a huge blow for our new shop, and we’re asking local people to donate a bag of pre-loved items to help us replace what was stolen.”

To support Shelter’s urgent Christmas appeal please visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70555 to donate £3.