Shoplifters becoming 'more prolific' across South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire

That's according to a Rotherham man who works in the retail sector

Author: Chris Davis-SmithPublished 6th Nov 2023

We're hearing that shoplifting is 'dramatically on the rise' across parts of South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire - with fears it'll 'only get worse' ahead of Christmas.

Terry Bailey works as a customer assistant at a store in Rotherham & admits staff morale in the retail sector is at an 'all time low' because of the problem.

He reckons shoplifters are walking out with around £3,000 worth of items per day where he works:

"These shoplifters can just come back in a few hours later and pinch the same products.

"High end stuff is targeted, like meat, butter, cheese, washing powder, dishwasher tablets and tubs of chocolate.

"We get abuse from these people, we even get spat at.

"It's just so demoralising, and the turnover of staff in retail is really high now.

"It's a horrible job when you get shoplifters coming in, but it used to be a lovely job.

"There's not as much staff anymore as there once was.

"That makes it easier for shoplifters to come in, because there's nobody on the shop floor.

"Usually before, if we monitored them and followed them around the shop, they'd just leave.

"However, there's nobody to do that anymore. It's horrendous."

The 69-year-old has worked part-time in retail for the last 9 years.

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