Camping equipment and supplies worth $11,000 have been taken from a Salvation Army storeroom in Hobart, dealing a blow to services for people sleeping rough.
The break-in happened overnight on Wednesday at the charity’s New Town facility, with alleged thieves taking off with tents, sleeping bags, thermal underwear, mats and swags.
John Stubley, State Program Manager for Homelessness Services, told ABC Radio the theft would heavily impact the Salvos’ Street to Home program.
“What our workers do in the very first instance is go and find people who are sleeping rough,” he said.
“And we make sure they’ve got a tent and a sleeping bag, which sometimes they don’t or they’ll have one that’s damaged or leaking.”
“We provide them with that and then we work with them to connect them in with the support services they might need to change their situation.”
The stolen items, mostly donated, formed a vital part of the program.
“We don’t have funding for it. The program’s largely funded by the Salvation Army, so we’re looking for donations to replace those goods,” Stubley said.
He said the break-in appeared targeted rather than random, with the thieves clearly using a vehicle to move the large haul.
A gate that blew off in strong winds earlier in the week may also have made access to the shed easier.
The Salvos are now calling for 20 to 40 replacement tents and sleeping bags, ideally two to four-person tents that can also give people space to keep their belongings.
“It’s far from ideal and it’s certainly not what we prefer,” Stubley said about handing out tents instead of providing proper accommodation.
“But the reality is there aren’t anywhere near enough beds or houses. So a tent becomes the next best option.”
The charity is asking the public to donate camping gear in good condition to any Salvation Army centre across Tasmania.
