One theory is that charity shops are unable to afford crime prevention equipment such as tagging and CCTV, making them an easier target for opportunist thieves than other High Street stores.

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Tom Keonig, president of Dynasound, said in recent months there has been an increase in interest in the company's eavesdrop-prevention equipment, which masks the intelligibility of conversations or keep private conversations from escaping boardrooms and other sensitive areas.

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The CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommend that you wipe down equipment after each use and perhaps, you want to use a barrier like a towel to sit on equipment.

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Foreign Secretary William Hague said London would offer millions of pounds in "non-lethal" equipment, including search and rescue, communications, and disease-prevention materials.

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