Rise in shoplifting in Stockton on small, independent shops
Businesses say it's one of the biggest crimes in the town centre
We are hearing about the impact a rise in shoplifting is having on small, independent shops in Stockton.
Businesses say it is one of the biggest and most common crime that takes place in the town centre.
In the last 12 months until March this year, there has been a 30 percent increase in shoplifting across the North East and Teesside.
Martin Shipley-Burr is the owner of Who-Ray! in Stockton, he says there are frequent attempts of people wanting to steal from them: "When someone does successful steal from us, it does very personal because we're a small, independent business. We're very welcoming, we have very good customer service, we have a nice sofa for people to sit on and we'll spend a lot of time with people and then for someone then to abuse that and steal, it doesn't go down well.
"The opportunity from walking into the door and taking is quick. It's seconds and it's spontaneous. It makes us feel dirty, it makes us feel unhappy and it makes us feel on guard.
"As a knock-on effect to the next person coming into the shop because we're in a suspicious, paranoid, upset mood which isn't natural for us to be in, I think we quickly overcome it but so as long as that person who has stolen from us, we always apprehend at some point or another.
"There's occasions where a person's been followed into other department stores. I will get them to empty their bags out and I will demand either the money for the product or whatever feels fit and stuff. It's sad.
"It's just a shame that we've got ourselves to this poor standard of society where it's become a norm to do it and that's what concerns me more than anything else. I'm more concerned that people are doing because what they do have to? Is it because they can't afford food? Or they need stuff?"