The raiders are grabbing bags of no longer wanted clothing donated by generous householders from doorsteps before the charity's own staff can collect them.

Hundreds of bags of garments which earn valuable cash for the British Heart Foundation to fund vital research into one of Britain's biggest killer diseases have already been taken.

The thieves are believed to have struck in the Armley and Headingley districts already.

Denise Hancock, manager of the Foundation's branch in Town Street, Armley, explained that after the bags of clothes were collected by the Foundation's drivers, the garments were sorted. The better items were resold through the Foundation's shops and the rest were sold as rags.
Normally 600 bags were distributed on a collection round and the charity would expect to get about 120 or a fifth of those filled or partially filled with surplus clothing.

In last week's round in Armley the Foundation's collectors only found 25 bags – thieves had taken the rest, said Ms Hancock.

On one occasion recently one Foundation driver spotted three men loading its bags into a white van. He called the police who had stopped the three men – who claimed not to speak English – and made them hand over the Foundation's bags.

Around 80 bags were estimated to be stolen in Headingley.
"The British Heart Foundation – which has about 20 shops in Leeds – is really losing out because of these thefts, and I suspected charities making similar collections may also be suffering in this way," said Ms Hancock.

"These thieves are clearly watching our delivery staff and following them around," she added.

Insp Ian Croft, of the North West Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team,said: "It is theft and anyone found to be involved in it will be arrested and subject to appropriate action."

Ken Blair, chief executive for British Heart Foundation Shops said: "If a member of the public is unsure whether a collector is genuine we recommend that they contact their local BHF Shop by calling 0870 120 4141."
"If members of the public prefer, they can call 0870 120 4141 to arrange a time for collection."