Can anything actually be done about prolific shoplifters?

[Cookie333]

I work in a well known food store ( one of the small branches) and I’m fed up to the back teeth of the same bloody shoplifters coming in, taking what they want and just walking or running out with absolutely no consequences for them.
I accept that shoplifting will never be eradicated, but surely the store can do something about the prolific shoplifters?

One example being a lowlife who steals on average about £500.00 worth of stock from our store alone in one month! Apparently ‘it’s not worth reporting him to the Police as they won’t be interested’ according to the Manager, but I’m not convinced nothing can be done, especially when the amount being stolen by one person alone is huge.

Does anyone know if some sort of banning order preventing them entering the store can be given to prolific thieves?

For me it would depend on what they are stealing and if it’s like a “business” - the kind of people who shoplift expensive items in order to sell it on?
Or is it a few desperate people really struggling in the current climate? For example, if I saw someone stealing things like nappies, baby food, bread, milk - a few basic essentials, then no I didn’t see shit 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Of course police can be called as long as procedures are followed, especially for repeat offenders. Sometimes shopping areas share details of known offenders and ban them.

I live in London with a very local Tesco express, the theft is blatant.

That said I walked in the other day and picked up a bottle of coke, got distracted and walked out. When I got him (2 mins) I realised I hadn't had an alert on my phone from Monzo. Went straight back and paid.

I was mortified.

It’s definitely a business for the one I’m on about, he obviously steals to order.

Police here

You can give a banning order but they'll ignore it .

Prolific offenders usually have a habit to fund .

They'll get circulated wanted , by time we find em there's about 30 crimes - they'll cough a few and the rest will be taken into
Consideration . They get remanded to
Court . Court give them 8 weeks, they're out in 4 , and straight back at it .

It's a nightmare .

Problem is the punishment at the courts is not severe enough
Most shoplifters will be back out and it takes numerous offences before they even contemplate sending them to jail. Even then its a short sentence. And then they are back at it again.

Most stores can't afford to lose the staff to give statement or go to court, so a lot don't report it.

Let me guess
Coffee
Cheese
Meat
Washing powder
Air fresheners.
Booze .

Have I missed any ? 😂.

I am sooooooo glad I don't have to deal with them anymore .

Do you think the manager is in on it and getting a cut? Hence turning a blind eye to it?

Probably not. They just know that the police won't do anything about it and tell them to claim on the insurance.

There is pretty much no policies nowadays.

Policing not policies.

It’s crazy how they can just get right back thieving!

Someone I know worked in the same sort of shop, the criminals stole mainly meat to sell to fund their drug habit. Shops need to up security, many around here keep doors closed so there is only one exit

You’re spot on! Although you did miss the baby food! 😉

Basically. if it’s not nailed down it’s a target!

No not at all,.

@Cookie333 Why do you care?

I couldn't care less about this if I worked in a shop, definitely don't be tempted to do anything silly or risky in order to stop a theft, remember if you get injured your employer won't give a shit about you.

@Cookie333

Why do you care so much? I understand small businesses yet but mega chains factor theft into their profits.
It's a tale as old as time, drug and alcohol issues = the men (usually) steal and the women sadly sell themselves.

Yes they will be "straight back at it" when out of prison as they still have addiction problems.

There has always and will always be people with addiction problems and it needs more funding but most importantly I would much rather they robbed a supermarket of 0.00001% of its share than robbed peoples homes.

Druggies robbing for their next fix. Do you not have a security guard on the door? If not, you need one!!

Hang on, why are air-fresheners shoplifted so much?

stolen formula is often sold on so you are not doing anyone favours by looking the other way.

No there’s no security

‘Why do you care so much?’

Mainly because a lot of shoplifters can become quite aggressive.

I've just witnessed it in my local supermarket. There was a woman who started screaming and abusing staff and everyone's attention was drawn to her. As I left there was a man who had been stopped and he had loads of baby clothes and was surrounded by security.

The original woman who had been making the fuss and I'm guessing kicked out was stood outside laughing and saying someone about "worth a go" as I walked past. So obviously a distraction technique. The sad part was there was a little girl of about 6 with her who looked so frightened.

Shops can have banning orders. I'm not in a shop but we have a radio at work that various shops and businesses have in the town and you hear:
"I think Michael Davis* has just entered the precinct. Going towards Poundland..."
"Wearing red t-shirt?"
"Yes."
"Got him.... yes, he's turned down the alley next to M&S"
"Going into Primark."
"He's banned from Primark... security guard on the way..."

*made up name.

Prolific offenders are often watched from store to store and we get a progression of them going through the town and where they are. The police are also on the radio and they will attend, when they aren't otherwise engaged, for theft, and stop the person on suspected theft.

The radio's used for other things too. Like people requesting a bucket if the roof's leaking, or asking if anyone knows the time of something etc. So it isn't just that.

I think the highlight of the radio had to be the time when workmen cut through a gas mains and the place had to be evacuated. In the middle of the various panic a calm voice was heard. "Has anyone got any duct tape?"
I assume this wasn't to mend the gas pipe. 🤣🤣🤣

You won't know whether the police are interested if you don't contact them. Surely there will be occasions where the manager is not about and you can call them yourself?

Our Tesco security guards watched as two junkies wheeled out a trolley clanking with stolen champagne.

Trolley so heavy the wheel fell off round the corner. Customers gave chase, drink retrieved.

Security let the thieves go. Why have guards?