Britain is experiencing a shoplifting explosion. The Association of Convenience Stores has found that its membership of small shopkeepers endured 5.6 million thefts in 2023, shooting up from 1.1 million in 2022.

I was involved in one of the many millions of incidents set to be recorded for 2024, intervening last night after I spotted a brazen theft when I popped to the shops to pick up some milk. The indicators and warnings were obvious: black cap, big parka, bulging backpack. But the real giveaway was the chap sneaking bottle after bottle of olive oil into his pockets. I filmed the theft in process and alerted the store manager and security, with whom I worked to stop the suspect sneaking out with his free-of-charge goods.

Food should not require security stickers. Guards should not stand by the entrances to supermarkets

A scuffle followed, which ended with him abandoning his coat and bag as he fled the store. Among the items in the bag were (yet more) olive oil, pots of honey and detergent. All of these items are popular on the black market, regularly being sold to dodgier convenience stores at a knockdown price. Other items included some clothing and a small women’s bag. If he’d acquired all of the other items legally, he’d set out with a bizarre shopping list.

I called the police once he left, giving details of his description and items he’d left behind, and the police said they’d note it down and send someone. When I put the phone down, the exasperated store manager told me he deals with these dramas every day, lamenting that the thieves he regularly faces down are emboldened by the limited police presence.

A local police officer in my borough told me this is all down to resources. They said that policing is dangerously over-stretched. The average person would be shocked to know how few officers are on duty at any one time.

QOSHE - Britain is going through a shoplifting boom - Charlie Peters
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Britain is going through a shoplifting boom

5 1
05.03.2024

Britain is experiencing a shoplifting explosion. The Association of Convenience Stores has found that its membership of small shopkeepers endured 5.6 million thefts in 2023, shooting up from 1.1 million in 2022.

I was involved in one of the many millions of incidents set to be recorded for 2024, intervening last night after I spotted a brazen theft when I popped to the shops to pick up some milk. The indicators and warnings were obvious: black cap, big parka,........

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