A CHARITY shop worker has shared her anger and disgust after a Radley handbag was taken from the shop window.

The bag was stolen last weekend from North Berwick’s British Heart Foundation charity shop on High Street.

The shop worker, who does not wish to be named, said that the thief must have used distraction tactics in order to steal the item, which was for sale for £30.

Currently, due to coronavirus restrictions, a maximum of six people are allowed in the shop at one time, with a significant reduction in the number of volunteers overseeing operations.

The charity shop worker said: “I can’t believe it and that someone could stoop that low, it’s just staggering.

“It’s sickening and depressing.

“As a team, we are shocked and appalled. It has left us feeling a bit deflated.”

This is not the first incident of its kind at the shop, with shoes one of many items to have previously been stolen from the store.

The shop worker added: “Stuff goes missing from the window all the time.

“We are really grateful when we do get donations but I just feel sad, how could someone do that?”

The shop and charity are among many which have been struggling through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The shop worker said: “They’re struggling to get profit, as are all charities, and the fact someone could do that and help themselves from the window when we are all struggling, and struggling to open the shop, we are doing everything we can to keep it open – we are all feeling under stress and pressure anyway and then all this.

“How can anyone steal from a charity shop when the sole purpose is to raise funds for charity?”

“It’s been difficult for everyone.”

The incident has not been reported to the police.