Nearly 2,000 toys seized as part of a major police bust will be gifted to children in need across Western Australia this Christmas.
The toys, which include LEGO sets, toy cars, footballs and basketballs, are part of a haul of stolen property seized by police during investigations into a shoplifting racket operating across Perth.
The toys are all brand new, still in their original packaging and would have been sent to auction as part of normal arrangements for disposal of stolen and unclaimed property.
The value of the toys is estimated to be worth more than $30,000.
Not all children have the opportunity to receive a present on Christmas Day, so the WA Police Force have teamed up with the Salvation Army who will distribute the toys to families in need.
Police Minister Paul Papalia today joined senior police in helping prepare the toys for donation so that those less fortunate can open a gift on Christmas Day.
As stated by Police Minister Paul Papalia:
"Christmas can be a tough time for some families.
"It might be a family forced to flee a domestic violence situation or facing some other crisis, or simply struggling with financial pressures.
"These gifts will hopefully relieve some of the pressure and bring a little bit of joy to children in need this Christmas.
"Whilst police have made every effort to identify the owners of these items, they haven't been found, so being able to put a present in the hands of a child in need is a great outcome."
