Bags destined for charity shops are being stolen in Singleton, with the items discarded around the area.

Residents say bags of clothing that are left outside the Sue Ryder store in the Singleton Centre are intended for the charity to sort out and sell.

But people are allegedly stealing the donated bags before discarding the items they don't want all around the residential area.

Terry Moore, a resident of Singleton, says the alleyway between Oxen Lease and Old Orchard is constantly covered in the stolen clothes.

He said: "Its been happening a lot recently.

"People leave bags of clothes outside the shop at nights for the charity."

"But, then other people come and take these bags and they just walk through the alleyway dumping the clothes they don't want.

"The clothes don't actually end up at the charity, they're just being dumped and then end up being put in the bin because they're ruined."There is a notice on the door of the Sue Ryder store reminding people not to leave items outside the shop when it's not open.

A Sue Ryder spokeswoman said: “Our shops rely on the public’s generous donations to be able to support the hospice and neurological care Sue Ryder provides for people facing a frightening, life-changing diagnosis."

“We are aware that some donations are being left outside shops, including our premises in Singleton. We are very grateful for these donations and would like to remind the public that donations can only be accepted in store.

"When donations are left outside our premises they are vulnerable to damage and theft, and ultimately can’t be sold in our shops to support Sue Ryder’s care.

“The friendly team at the shop is happy to accept donations in store from 8.30am until 4.30pm, from Monday through to Saturday."

A similar incident has happened at Hospices of Hope shop, in New Rents in Ashford town centre, with people rummaging through the bags and taking items intended for the charity.

A passer-by managed to capture the moment two women were seen appearing to rifle through bags left outside the shop.

In the video, one lady is seen to be picking out clothes from the bag whilst the other lady is seen to put a item into her pushchair.

The children with them are playing nearby.

The lady in the doorway then appears to pick up one of the bags before they all leave.

The lady who took the video said: "I was stunned. How dare they take things from other people.

"I couldn't believe their nerve as it was in daylight. The state they left it in as well was awful and its not fair on the volunteers who have to clean it up and dispose of the items instead of making money for the charity.

"Its really sad that people think they can just take things and this was in front of children, who may now think its perfectly normal.

"I just want to warn people not to leave items for charity outside."

A volunteer from the shop said: "We're just in disbelief, the bags were left outside precisely for charity.

"They have literally been ripped apart.

She added: "We're a charity, if they had come in we'd help them the best we can. Taking items from a charity is the lowest of the low."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) states that: "If a householder places unwanted clothing on the doorstep, not caring who takes it, then it could be said that the householder has abandoned it and there can be no theft.

"If the items of property were left for the benefit of a particular charity then the property has not been abandoned. The property still belongs to the householder until collected by the charity and a charge of theft may be appropriate."

VIDEO: The incident outside of Hospices of Hope.