‘There is not much we can do – they’ll attack you’ – workers on shoplifting problem
A manager at Poundland, who didn’t want to be named, said: “It’s constant but there’s not much we can do, it’s vile – they’ll attack you.
“We just don’t have enough time to look at receipts and CCTV, we have so much work to do. It takes us two hours to look at it, it’s just constant and police are in all the time.”
When The Bolton News asked staff at WHSmith if shoplifting was an issue, they said they were too busy as they were currently dealing with a shoplifting incident.
A staff member was waiting by the door and two Council Enforcement Officers entered shortly after.
Tariq Azizi, an employee of Bolton Pound Plus Ltd, said: “We do have shoplifters around, it needs to be stopped.
“Before Christmas we had a lady and a man come in, they try to be nice to take advantage of you.
“It’s better for Bolton Council to protect businesses.”
Greater Manchester Police announced on January 15, that they had arrested nearly 300 shoplifters across December as part of a crackdown on retail crime.
Across the month, 296 arrests relating to shoplifting and theft from businesses were recorded and 221 were charged.
Poundland announced recently they would be increasing security because thefts and abuse against workers has accelerated substantially (Image: Google Maps)
In 2023 a new police “high street squad” was set up in Bolton to tackle robberies, burglaries and shoplifting.
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) team deploys newly recruited officers, supported by senior officers, into Bolton town centre to help support security staff and identify theft hotspots.
They have already arrested and charged people for shoplifting and robbery crimes as well as various kinds of anti-social behaviour.
Poundland announced recently that they would be increasing security to tackle retail crime after losing more than £40m worth of stock last year.
The bargain retailer, which sells a large proportion of its products for £1 or less, said it had been a particular target of theft and abuse.
The fresh round of investment will include kitting out staff with anti-theft technology, such as body-worn cameras in shops with the most prolific crime issues.
A trial run by the retailer found that the cameras drove an 11 per cent decrease in violence against staff, as well as a reduction in shoplifting.
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Poundland, which has more than 800 stores in the UK, said the rate of theft and abuse against workers had “accelerated significantly” across its shops over the past 18 months.
A spokesperson for Poundland said: “As you might imagine, every single one of our 800-plus stores has security measures in place to address shop crime.
“However, for obvious operational reasons, we don’t plan to provide specific detail about which measures are in which stores.
“Rest assured we create bespoke security plans for all of our locations and we’re sending a clear message that those stealing from us will be caught, reported and prosecuted.”
Anyone with any information or concerns about crime in Bolton town centre can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.
Alternatively, witnesses can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.co.uk
Source – INDIA TV
