RESIDENTS have told how kids as young as 12 swipe “whatever they can get their hands on” and sell it on for a profit in a town which has become Britain’s shoplifting ground zero.
Brazen drug-dealers and schoolchildren in crime-ridden Northfield reportedly target high street stores because they “know they can get away with it”, leaving vulnerable locals looking over their shoulder.
BPMNorthfield has become a breeding ground for rampant shoplifting[/caption]
Many items and store windows are slapped with anti-theft advisoriesBPM
BPMStore manager Jordan says the offenders ‘don’t care’ when someone spots them grabbing items[/caption]
A slew of blood-curdling incidents has triggered an exodus of residents, many of whom are sick to death of the soaring crime rate in the Birmingham enclave.
Addicts will nab “everything from cheese to steak, dog treats to baby milk – anything that’s easily sold” in bulk before badgering locals door to door to ask if they want to pull out their wallet, traders told BirminghamLive.
They also alleged that offenders ask if residents need “something cheap” before barging into high street hot spots and grabbing whatever they request.
And because the retail epicentre has only one security guard eyeing the entire street, criminals can reportedly scoop what they need without being pursued by cops.
Latest police stats confirm thieves are targeting shops every day, with almost 400 reported crimes in 2023.
The findings showed that more offences have been committed in Northfield last year than in any other area across Birmingham.
Meanwhile, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows shoplifting offences spiked by 38% in the area covered by West Mercia Police, and by 34% in the West Midlands Police area in the 12 months up to September 2023.
Shoplifting in England and Wales topped 402,482 last year — its highest level for two decades, stats showed.
Seething shop owners have rallied for heavier police presence along Bristol Road South.
One unnamed worker even suffered a scar at the hands of one culprit.
“One once tried to stab me with a pencil…it is a nightmare,” before pulling up jaw-dropping CCTV footage of two women swiping hair products from their store’s beauty aisle.
“It’s gone into her pocket, vanished, hands empty,” he explained.
“You can’t even chase them. The moment they are out the door, there is nobody there to help us.
“There is a security guard, but when you find them, they might be busy and by that time, they’ve gone.”
COPS ‘DON’T TEND TO HELP’
Whasuf Farooq, co-owner of Dennings Hardware & DIY store, says he has experienced numerous incidents of shoplifting at his business, and bemoaned the lacklustre response from cops.
“We try and make measures to make sure people can’t steal, but there is always someone who will go across those measures,” he told the BBC.
Mr Farooq said he did not report the incidents to the police because they “don’t really tend to help”.
CHILD THEFTS ON THE RISE
Security guard James lifted the lid on how youths are “ruining” the once-sleepy suburban patch.
“It all stems from drug abuse and alcohol; 99.9 per cent of the time,” he claimed.
“I think they are stealing to sell, or give to, dealers for drugs. It’s to fuel habits. It’s just things that are easily sold, cheese, steaks.
“They might knock on your door and say ‘do you want anything for cheap today?’ And they’ll say they need lots of baby milk or dog treats, and the shoplifters will go and steal specifically for that day.
James added that he has observed a worrying increase in uniform-clad offenders.
One once tried to stab me with a pencil…it is a nightmare
Northfield shop owner
“We’ve seen a rise in child thefts at the moment; 12-15 year olds stealing something little.
“They know they are going to get away with it.”
Sadly, the negatives are ruining the area for a community of “generally nice people who do look after each other.
“The elderly portion are quite nice, you see some people coming for coffees and teas.
“These issues are pushing the community out of the area though, they don’t want to come into town and see a man urinating up a bench.”
‘BRAZEN’ CRIMINALS
Store manager at Savers, Jordan, also told how he was “given attitude” by a 13-year-old girl who denied claims she was stealing makeup – despite CCTV evidence.
“They are all brazen,” he said.
“Even as managers, we can’t touch them. You can only verbally deter them.”
“Around here, they don’t care. They just look back to see if you’re going to chase them.”
In 2019, six people including two children were sprayed in the face with an unknown substance during a terrifying robbery at a Co-op supermarket today.
BPMShoppers are routinely reminded to pay for items[/caption]
BPMNorthfield suffered the highest crime rate in Birmingham last year[/caption]
At the time, ashen-faced witnesses said: “Shoplifting is rife at this store, I see it happening regularly.
“Sometimes the managers try and challenge them, but then they start being abusive and trying to attack them.
“I challenge them when I see them but they just tell me it’s ‘nothing to do with me’.
“They really need more security in there.”
SHOPLIFTING SPIKE
It comes after a new survey claimed that almost half of adults admitted shoplifting from supermarkets.
And many pinch goods when using self-checkouts.
Some 45 per cent nick baked goods such as pasties, pastries and bread rolls.
And 40 per cent admit to stealing fruit, either eating it in the store or not entering it at the self-checkout.
A huge 1,075 of 2,500 people polled — 43 per cent — owned up to stealing from the stores.
The top excuse was the cost of living crisis and other financial pressures.
Some said they were motivated by the ease with which certain items can be stolen without detection.
And a significant minority claimed they steal as a protest against what they see as unfair practices by large corporations.
The study, carried out by marketing website fatjoe, said: “These findings call for a revaluation of how supermarkets address theft.
“The data suggests current deterrents may not be effective for a large portion of the population — pointing to the need for innovative solutions that address prevention and the underlying causes of theft.
“Motivations behind stealing, highlight the importance of addressing broader socioeconomic issues such as poverty and inequality which may indirectly contribute to the prevalence of theft.”
BBCWhasuf Farooq opted not to report the incidents at his store as they ‘don’t really tend to help’[/caption]
BPMCops were called to a Co-op in the residential area after six people including two children were sprayed in the face with an unknown substance[/caption]
BBCChief Constable Craig Guildford stressed that offences would be investigated by the force[/caption]
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