Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

 
 
Sunday, 5th July 2009

Premium Article !

Your account has been frozen. For your available options click the below button.

Options

Premium Article !

To read this article in full you must have registered and have a Premium Content Subscription with the Wigan Observer site.

Subscribe

Registered Article !

To read this article in full you must be registered with the site.

Trio feel like nickin' tonight



Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 12 November 2008
Grinning broadly, these three men look friendly enough customers as they wait to be served in a Wigan takeaway - but moments later they committed a crime that police and staff have described as disgusting and pathetic.
One of the trio walks out of Ashton's Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant with two cuddly toys that were being raffled in aid of starving millions in the developing world.

Police have issued CCTV images of the three men wanted in connection with the theft of the teddy bear and fluffy dog.
It was about 9.45pm on Wednesday, October 15, when they approached the counter of the Gerard Street KFC and chatted to staff.

One of them then picked up the toys, which were wrapped in clear bags and had been sitting on the counter, and left.
Customers at the restaurant had raised more than £600 for the charity World Hunger – a nationwide KFC appeal in which the company teamed up with the UN's World Food Programme to help countries worst hit by the international food crisis – before the toys were stolen.

Bosses say that while the Ashton outlet raised an excellent amount, it would probably have raised even more had it not been for the theft. Thankfully the money at least was safe.

PC Graeme Pendlebury, community beat manager for Ashton-in-Makerfield, said: "I think it's disgusting that three grown men can steal a charity teddy bear.
"I hope this appeal makes one of them realise how pathetic they have been and they come forward."

Police have described the toys in case they end up being given as presents or prizes elsewhere.
Taken were a medium-sized brown bear with ribbons on it and a fluffy white dog which was gift-wrapped with ribbons and roses.

A spokesman for the franchisee that operates KFC Ashton-in-Makerfield said: "We were dismayed to hear of this incident.
"Our staff worked extremely hard to raise over £600 for World Hunger Relief Week, and they are understandably disappointed that somebody would steal charity prizes.
"We are currently assisting police with their investigation.

"Fortunately, the raffle was still able to go ahead as the prizes were replaced and we'd like to thank our staff and customers for their generous support."

Anyone with information should call Bamfurlong police station on (0161) 856 7436 or Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555 11.

The full article contains 398 words and appears in Wigan Observer newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 12 November 2008 11:55 AM
  • Source: Wigan Observer
  • Location: Wigan
 
Prev
1
2
1

misterlowe,

wigan 12/11/2008 12:07:36
what bear faced cheek
2

Strange World,

12/11/2008 12:50:36
Nice headline!
3

robbie,

12/11/2008 13:32:40
HOPE YOU ARE READING THIS you low life thieving scum
4

bluehaze,

Ashton 12/11/2008 19:01:19
What a bunch of scrubbers.
5

Cartman,

Wigan 12/11/2008 21:12:48
Why is this only now being published. IT HAPPENED FOUR WEEKS AGO. What's the point now for god's sake.
6

Jay1,

12/11/2008 21:48:31
Someone must recognise them surely.
7

Jemmy,

Bryn 12/11/2008 22:54:15
Another correction,

The KFC in Gerard Street is an Ashton in Makerfield takeaway, NOT a 'Wigan takeaway'.
8

jueboo,

everywhere 13/11/2008 09:45:38
OMG JEMMY THE GEOGRAPHY TEACHER IS BACK!!!!!!
9

Jemmy,

Bryn 13/11/2008 13:32:06
Jueboo, get on a bus that says 'Wigan' on the front and it won't take you to Ashton in Makerfield.

The KFC in Gerard Street is as much a Manchester takeaway as it is a Wigan takeaway, after all it is in Greater Manchester County as well as being in Wigan Council Area.
10

robbie,

13/11/2008 14:00:12
i wish they would not keep publishing storys from ashton because there all bad anyway
Prev
1
2

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
 
  

 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.