Women's Refuge Xmas toys stolen

Children's Christmas toys, toiletries and food have been taken from a Women's Refuge safe house in Palmerston North.

Women's Refuge manager Dr Ang Jury told the Manawatu Standard the donations room at the house had been "denuded", and that staff were distraught.

Items taken included care packages containing items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, which were given to women who arrived at the house with nothing.

"About 75 per cent of the time they will come with what they've got, or what they chucked into the car," Dr Jury said.

"What we do and the services we provide are actually difficult enough without having to add this stuff on to the table, really."

Children's clothes and toys donated to the house and being kept to give kids there for Christmas were also taken.

- NZPA