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St Gemma's Hospice say at least 10 of the plastic bag collections, which contain items for the charity's 18 shops, have been stolen since the start of July.

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The bags are posted through doors and filled with unwanted goods, including clothes and books, which can raise up to £500 per bag, according to St Gemma's.

The amount lost by the charity is increased by the wasted cost of collecting the bags and recycling them.

They are then left on doorsteps and collected by van drivers from the Moortown hospice – but all too often, thieves seem to be getting there first.

Vicki Burnett, fundraising manager (trading), said: "We've told the police about a number of incidents of individuals or groups stealing our stock.

"The items left on people's doorsteps are valuable. The stolen bags add up to a lot of money, up to £7,000, which all goes to the hospice. It's just awful."

Vicki said the thefts may be down to the higher price of "rag" – unwanted or damaged fabric which can be sold off to dealers for a fortune.

Each year, the hospice exchanges hundreds of worn and faulty clothing items for cash, which then goes towards caring for patients.

But the recession means that the cost of rag has increased and St Gemma's is faced with more competition as it tries to sell off stock.
Opportunity

In addition, more rag merchants are bypassing charity shops altogether – and thieves are seizing their opportunity to profit.

St Gemma's is now urging people to only hand over their unwanted goods to drivers with a hospice ID badge and a marked van.

If anyone in an unmarked van attempts to make a collection, supporters are asked to make a note of the registration plate.

Vicki also recommended that for extra safety, people could use one of the charity's 18 shops instead of leaving bags on the doorstep.

Inspector Andrew Briggs, of Roundhay, Alwoodley and Moortown Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said: "In the last month we have arrested seven people in relation to the suspected theft of clothes that have been left for collection by charity organisations.

"Five of those arrested remain on police bail while investigations continue and we have increased the number of patrols and stop-checks on vehicles seen in residential areas, particularly where charity bags have been left out."

* Anyone with information can call West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060 606 and ask to speak to their local NPT.