22-06-2025
Edinburgh bookshop devastated as CCTV shows grim crime as they lock up for day
An Edinburgh bookshop was targeted in a brazen burglary with thieves who allegedly nicked hundreds of pounds from a charity tin.
Argonaut Books on Leith Walk was victimised in the theft on the evening of Saturday, June 21.
Police confirmed they received a report of the burglary around 8.40pm.
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Shopkeepers at the store, located at 15-17 Leith Walk, were preparing to shut for the night when a group of four thieves allegedly entered the bookshop, stealing the donation money from a Scottish Book Trust charity tin.
Bosses assured customers on social media their staff are "all fine" but that the thieves were "threatening and aggressive", adding "as retail workers, it's nothing that we've not seen before."
A CCTV image shared via the shop's Instagram appears to show an individual wearing a white T-shirt reaching into a charity tin.
A message on Argonaut's Instagram reads: "We were robbed last night. Its one thing when it's our stock or our money that is targeted, there's insurance and systems in place for this, but when it's stealing from a charity in an extremely direct way then we just can't abide it.
"Beyond the obvious anger and gurstration we feel, what happened last night is representative of the struggle that SBT and other charities are up against if they can't even be guaranteed the pennies from our counter. However, we will always try to make the best out of a bad situation! This morning we have made a donation of £300.
"On top of our own £300 donation, we will be donation matching up to a further £300 this week. There's a link in our bio and in our stories that takes you directly to the donation page of the SBT website. "Anything you can spare is appreciated and goes directly to funding the immensely important work that the SBT do. Even if you can't give at the moment, telling a friend or sharing is also extremely helpful. Thank you all and we'll see you in the bookshop soon!
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We received a report of a theft from a premises on Leith Walk, Edinburgh, around 8.40pm on Saturday, 22 June, 2025. Enquiries are at an early stage.'
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