donations left outside a charity shop in the town. bags of stealingA 32-year-old Herne Bay woman has been fined £80 after she admitted

for theft.and issued with a fixed penalty noticelater arrested in the back of her car on Easter Sunday and loading the bags photographed was offender, who has not been named,The

She was filmed committing the offence by the manager of the shop in Sea Street, Christine Quilter, who she had become concerned that someone was taking bags of clothing and other donations left outside the shop.

She added: "I planted three bags outside the shop and sat and waited with my digital camera.

"Along came this woman and I followed her down the road and challenged her and she said that they belonged to her mum.

"I knew they didn’t because I put them there! She drove off and I contacted our local police community support officer.

‘I was pleased that the police were able to respond so quickly and arrest the woman involved.’

Det Con Ron Smith advised people offering items to think about when and where they leave their donations.

He said: "Ideally only offer your donations in when the shop is open as this is the one way you can guarantee it is reaching the people it should.

‘Your donations play a vital role into raising much needed cash for good causes and it is saddening that callas thieves take advantage of people’s good nature."