Peterborough Women’s Aid has been handed £3,500 worth of suspected stolen goods by local officers.

The goods, including more than 100 shampoo and body wash bottles and 213 confectionary products, were seized by police attending a car boot sale in Peterborough in February.

The eight suitcases worth of goods also include 46 boxes of fabric cleaners and softeners.

“The families we work with often flee from domestic abuse with nothing, so essential items such as these are crucial for the women and children we work with, and the donations we received will definitely improve the lives of the families we support,” said Peterborough Women’s Aid chief executive Mandy Geraghty.

Sergeant Steve Rose, from Peterborough’s city centre neighbourhood policing team said that after the items were not claimed within 30 days “we wanted to make sure they went to good use and not disposed of”.

Peterborough Women’s Aid was nominated to receive the goods by the area’s Police and Crime Commissioner’s office.

Police and crime commissioner Darryl Preston added: “Peterborough Women’s Aid provide a vital lifeline to women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

“I am truly pleased to see these unclaimed day to day essentials go to towards making the lives of the people they are supporting a bit easier.”

Following the seizure of the items two women were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, but no further action was taken against them.

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