Supermarket staff in Huddersfield have begun taking additional measures in response to attacks and threats from shoplifters.
Becky Best from a popular frozen supermarket chain explained that “they’re [regular shoplifters] reckless and don’t care. One of our daily shoplifters actually spits at us and we’ve had them try [to] get violent and fight us too.”
She shared that her store has started extensively using headsets, body-cams and security boxes in an attempt to deter shoplifters but still faces numerous attempts everyday.
West Yorkshire Police stated there were 22,189 reported shoplifting offences in 2023- with an increase of over 4,345 offences from the previous year.
Tony Butler added that he’d received his “fair share of threats” with shoplifters threatening to “be waiting for you when you’re done.”
Colleague Craig Lockwood found himself involved in multiple fights with shoplifters in Huddersfield town centre and found himself “ending up with a bruise down half [his] face” but has since taken a step back as shoplifters are increasingly becoming armed, often carrying knives.
Butler explained that many of his female colleagues feel uncomfortable with early morning starts or late night finishes because of this reason and as a team they work hard to ensure the safety of each other.
An ex-prolific shoplifter based in the Bradford region was identified by multiple members of staff for his seemingly lifelong involvement in shoplifting and begging.
Bradford Homeless Outreach Partnership worker Tim Richardson who helps with housing the homeless including this individual remarked that “the police sanctions in place don’t help anyone, they certainly don’t help or deter my clients but it’s clear they aren’t supporting retail staff either.”
Richardson revealed that his client had been issued a Criminal Behaviour Order and as a result, unfortunately finds himself in jail bimonthly. He noted that he believes his client “is a lovely and kind man, who’s just hard on his luck like most people in his position.”
This comes as the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers said a survey of more than 5,500 shop staff showed that almost one in five suffered a violent attack last year, compared with 8% in 2022 while 43% of 5,500 surveyed said they had been threatened by a customer.
Supermarket staff and shoplifters alike look towards the government to cooperate and commit resources to better support staff in the deterrence of shoplifters but to also help reduce the reasons why many are turning to theft.
The plans being currently drawn up by ministers demand a greater reliance on live facial recognition technology and artificial intelligence, while also reintroducing regular and visible foot patrols in affected areas.
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