Thieves steal from charity shop run by Britain’s kindest plumber after receiving free baby supplies

Two thieves have been caught on camera stealing from a charity shop run by ‘Britain’s kindest plumber’ which raises money for vulnerable families.

Plumber James Anderson said the thieves were ‘taking food off a child’s table’ after they hid a £50 bottle of cologne behind baby supplies they'd got for free at his store.

The 55-year-old dad-of-six founded the community interest company Depher, which provides free heating and plumber services to those in desperate need. He received the special recognition trophy at the Pride of Britain awards last year.

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The modern-day hero, who described the theft as ‘heart-breaking’, has helped people struggling with huge bills and has handed out essential supplies to those struggling during the cost of living crisis.

Alongside the CIC, James also runs the Depher Community Fund shop, on Rosegrove Lane in Burnley, Lancashire, alongside his wife Barbara, which raises money for hard-up families alongside offering free and discounted products, such as baby supplies, dried foods and sanitary items.

James said: “They’re taking food off a child’s table. It’s just heartbreaking knowing that someone can come in, ask for support, and we’ve given them it with an open heart, and then he steals from us.

“We could have sold that and the money we make off that would then buy food, which then can be used to put on the table of a child or an adult or vulnerable person.

“It beggars belief, and it’s just so wrong on every single level.”

James said the incident happened on Monday when Barbara was manning the shop. He explained that staff first handed the men several kids' sanitary items for free after they said