Shopkeepers take the law into their own hands in war against shoplifting epidemic

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Poundland sales assistant Kelvin Blake says offenders range from homeless people, to people in suits to even children “You get all sorts trying it; homeless people, people in suits and even children - and once they get out the entrance door they know they are free because we’re not chasing them outside,” he said. I see people caught and handed to the police one day, then the next they are back here again trying to steal again.” Close to Bullring shopping centre, the manager of shop MS Cosmetics, Mohammed Abrar, says he catches several shoplifters each day, with many teenagers targeting small-value items like lip balm. It’s a losing battle for us.” open image in gallery Mohammed Abrar says he catches several shoplifters each day, with many teenagers targeting small-value items like lip balm It’s the same situation at Beauty Central where manager Junaid Ahmed has resorted to positioning staff at the entrance and installing security tags on almost all of the shop’s shelved items. They added: “We are working with businesses and members of the public to identify and target prolific offenders and reduce crime that causes harm to businesses.” open image in gallery Police on patrol in Birmingham city centre as part of efforts to tackle retail crime Nationally, almost 90 business leaders, including the bosses of Tesco and Primark, wrote to home secretary Suella Braverman raising their concerns about retail crime, in particular violence against workers.