A GROUP of seven including one child attempted to shoplift items from a charity shop in Warrington.

Cheshire Police were alerted to an attempted shoplifting at Mind charity shop, located on London Road in Stockton Heath yesterday afternoon, Monday.

An online report sent by a member of staff at the shop was received by police at 4.40am this morning, Tuesday, detailing an incident involving a ‘group of unknown people’ who walked into the store at the same time on Monday afternoon at around 4.10pm.

The group was said to contain around three men and four women as well as a child.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “As they were in the store the child distracted the staff, while other members of the group took items from the window display.

“Staff confronted the group and asked them to put the items back, which they did. They then left the store empty handed.”

The charity shop posted a statement following the incident on social media describing how ‘vulnerable’ volunteers working in the shop were ‘shaken up’.

In a post on Facebook a spokesperson said: “We find this really upsetting and very distressing that something like this could happen.

“I wanted to share this experience not only with everyone, but other charity shops as now it appears we are now being targeted.

“We are a mental health charity; this should not be happening.”

They added: “I am determined that it shall remain a safe space for our staff, volunteers and customers.

“If anyone has any information about this evening’s events, please get in touch.”