Ipswich retail manager on fighting rise in shoplifting

The Office of National Statistics found the number of reported shoplifting offences has increased across the county by eight per cent since last year - however Suffolk's figure was the lowest increase across the East of England.

In Ipswich shoplifting numbers have remained the same and the main increase has happened in coastal Suffolk areas - where reports are up 30 per cent.

Ipswich Central Street Security have helped curb the rise of offences in Ipswich (Image: Newsquest) A branch manager of a major retail store in Ipswich who wished to remain anonymous said: “We have seen across Suffolk in recent months, an increase in violent shop offences.

“We've had stores in Ipswich recently where staff have been held up and threatened with violence.

“This can lead to an almost PTSD effect where people are scared and we've had people leave the business because they don't feel safe.

“It really does leave staff feeling vulnerable and alone.

“It's quite a depressing thought that the staff are getting traumatized and threatened."

The manager added there were more “desperation thefts” and a rise in organised professional thefts.

He added: “People are stealing food to feed their families, but we are also seeing organised gangs of people.

“These groups are stealing high value baby formula to large quantities that they are then reselling.

“They know there's very limited repercussions and very little chance of prosecution.”

The losses to one of the stores the manager previously worked was around £500 to £1,000 every week.

He recalled: “In my previous store, I got sworn and spat at on a daily basis, and at least once a week, somebody would try and take a swing at you."

The threat of violence meant staff are told not to confront possible shoplifters "which can be very frustrating" said the manager.

"It makes you feel that you can't do your job," he said.

Only more severe punishments would help curb the rise the manager said, “the police and the courts need to have more power to actually add a deterrent”.

Christmas, he explained, is a particularly difficult period.

The store manager said: “We're coming into a key time of year where money is tight and Christmas is  coming up and we’re having to limit what we put out.

“We limit joints of meat, baby food and even toothpaste because there’s a group going around Suffolk stealing toiletries.”

Paddy Lillis, the general secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) added: “It is increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order.

“This is in no way a victimless crime, with weapons and violence used to ensure these criminals are not stopped.

“Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers."

In response, Superintendent Andy Martin Suffolk police’s retail crime lead said: “The rise in shoplifting has become a particular issue nationally and it is not something we are immune to in Suffolk.

Supt Andy Martin said Suffolk Police are working on bringing the numbers down (Image: Suffolk Police) “As such we have been working hard alongside our partners to address the issue and while we are of course disappointed to see an increase in the number of offences, we note this is modest compared to some other areas.

He added: “However, statistics are only part of the picture and we are cognisant that we need to improve reporting procedures and that the figures will fluctuate depending on a number of other factors, such as footfall and occupancy rates of high street premises.

“Suffolk Constabulary will continue to work to tackle shoplifting and pursue and prosecute offenders where possible."

Mark Cordell, CEO of Our Bury St Edmunds BID said: “Since December and the introduction of the new policing model in Suffolk the situation is much improved, with more crimes being reported but more importantly more offenders being arrested and placed before the courts”.

The chief executive of Bury St Edmunds' Business Improvement District (Image: Newsquest)Lee Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central, Business Improvement District for the town centre, added: "We are proud of the work our street security team does, which has resulted in tens of thousands of pounds of stock being recovered for businesses, and, working with our police and council partners to ensure prolific offenders are dealt with to the fullest extent of the law."

Lee Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central (Newsquest)

This week a man who stole a jacket, as well as tobacco from a Tesco Express was jailed this week for six months.

Devin Paola, from Bury St Edmunds, was jailed for six months (Image: Suffolk Police) Devin Paola, from Bury St Edmunds, appeared before Suffolk Magistrates' Court last Friday, and was was also ordered to pay £668 compensation.