While nothing has ever really been sacred where petty thieves or career criminals are concerned, there used to be some sort of boundaries.

But not any more, it would seem.

Just before my father retired from his parish almost 16 years ago, there was a serious theft from his church. That was shocking news back in the 1990s involving reporters from national newspapers beating a path to his door.

I doubt they would raise an eyebrow now.

Two incidents this week have highlighted that no charity is safe from those who would rather take from others than get off their backsides and earn an honest living.

Today we report on the front page about the heartless – brainless, more like – thieves who have stolen the Red Cross minibus.

The only vehicle the charity has to cover the Burnley area will cost many thousands of pounds to replace and while it is absent lives are, quite literally, being put at risk.

By the very nature of its being, the Red Cross minibus is more than a little conspicuous. Just how thick do you have to be to think no one will notice you while driving around in it?

Tuesday's paper carried an equally heart-breaking story.

Fresh Fields Enterprises, a charitable company I know very well, has been busily preparing stock for a new charity garden shop.

Staff and trainees, many with disabilities, have also been pulling together major exhibitions for some prestigious flower and garden shows across the North West.

They were, quite justifiably, proud of their efforts. That was until Monday morning when they discovered someone had waltzed off with the majority of their stock.

Broken windows and other damage added to the cost of the break-in.

And matters were made even worse by the fact some of the stock stolen actually belonged to customers and will now have to be replaced at the charity's expense.Why was it stolen?

Because it was easier to steal it then put in the back-breaking work that led to such a marvellous shop and eye-catching floral displays.

I hope the police catch the lowlifes involved in both cases.

And if they're not sure what to do with the Fresh Fields burglars in particular, I have an idea. Just leave me in a room with them and provide me with a pair of long-handled loppers.

Their light-fingered antics would be a little more difficult after that!