Thieves are raiding textile recycling banks in Kirklees for clothes destined for needy families in Third World countries.

And some thieves are even putting young children's lives at risk by lowering them into the containers to rifle through the goods donated by the public, says Kirklees Council.

Environmental action manager Janet Westmoreland said: "It is an incredibly dangerous and stupid thing to do. The child could suffocate or get stuck.

"There are locks on the recycling banks but some people still manage to break into them.

"People are stealing good quality items from the banks and scattering the rest everywhere, which leaves the sites looking a mess.''

The problem is being made worse because containers are not being emptied as regularly by the council contractor, owing to a major downturn in the world market for textiles.

This means the banks become over full and the public leave bags of clothes dumped at the side - providing rich pickings for the thieves.

Now the Council is hoping to deter the pilfering by writing to national charities and local businesses asking them to take over the collections in a bid to ensure the banks are emptied more frequently.

The local authority has the containers for clothes, shoes, curtains, belts, handbags and blankets at 35 recycling sites across the district.

They include the Tesco car park in Cleckheaton, Morrison's car park in Heckmondwike, Gomersal Middle School, Oakwell Hall, Birstall and Mirfield Library car park.

A Batley-based merchants collects and sorts out the items. Good quality clothes are sent to Africa and other developing countries.

The rest end up as travel rugs, industrial wipers or filling for mattresses.

Mark Berry, manager at Tesco in Cleckheaton, said: "We bring items into the store if necessary to prevent anybody stealing the goods. We've not had a problem with theft.''

Crime prevention officer PC Colin Whiteley, of Dewsbury police sub division, said: "We share the Council's concern about the dangers to children once they are inside the banks and advise people against this practice.

"Perhaps the Council should rethink the design of the banks so that people can't break into them or steal items by putting their hands through the hole where clothes are dropped off.''

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