Targeted by shoplifters Shop locks doors to tackle theft trouble
ASHOP is locking its front door while it is open because it says it is being targeted by shoplifters.
Customers at the Sally Salon Services site, next to Waitrose in Honeybourne Way, Cheltenham, are greeted by a sign by the front door.
It says: “We are open. Our doors are currently locked as we are being targeted by shoplifters, police are aware. Please knock to be let in. We apologise for any inconvenience.”
Staff at the shop declined to comment when approached by the Gloucestershire Echo, referring us to the national chain’s head office. We have contacted them for comment.
The shop sells hair and beauty products and is one of three trading on one side of the Waitrose supermarket.
A spokesman for Cheltenham Safe, a retail crime reduction scheme in the town, said he had signed Sally Salon Services up as one of his organisation’s members.
He said locking the door in this way because of shoplifters was “unusual for a shop that sells normal price items”.
He said: “I see it as a temporary measure until things calm down a bit.”
The spokesman added that the shop might be more vulnerable in its relatively quiet spot than if it was in a busier area such as High Street.
Gloucestershire police said, in a statement: “We are an active member of the Cheltenham Safe scheme and as part of this meet regularly with other agencies and businesses to help prevent thefts and identify offenders who are operating in the town.
“When targeted by shoplifters, we ask shops to provide us with CCTV evidence and statements so that we have the best chance of being able to proceed with cases to court.
“The Cheltenham Safe scheme can also ban offenders from shops and, where appropriate, we will work with Cheltenham Borough Council to apply for court injunctions that help restrict those who persistently steal.”
In relation to shoplifting thresholds and offenders’ links to drugs, the police said: “We do request and need evidence, such as statements and CCTV, from shops in order to meet the high criminal burden of proof. However we would still ask those who do not have these to report thefts as the details will help ensure we understand the extent of a problem and pick up on any trends, which may in turn help us take other actions to combat the issue.
“We do not have a policy whereby we only proceed with cases of a certain value but we do consider the value of the goods as one factor in deciding if it is in the public interest to take the case to court. Other factors may include whether the suspect has a history of shoplifting.
“The constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner’s office work with other agencies to help combat drug abuse as one of the root causes of crime and those with drug issues are always directed to the relevant drugs charities and other organisations when released from custody.”