Cherries & Berries Ltd based in Hereford High Town have had to take action due to constant shoplifting at their city centre premises.
Manager Jason Totney told Your Herefordshire:
“We have had to install brand new CCTV in the shop and because of this we have followed it up with warning signs across the building as another deterrent.
“Shoplifting has become a real problem and as a business its affecting us massively.”
Jason continued:
“We regularly get people putting items in their own bags and trying not to pay for them, and most days we will get people just pinching items that we display at the front of the shop.
“The attitude of some people absolutely flabbergasts me when we catch them, they just don’t have any shame.”
Whilst we were there we were approached by a customer who had witnessed a person shoplifting.
“I’m so glad you have come down to highlight this” she told us.
“A few minutes ago somebody just walked past and stole a couple of pears, before I could cotton on as to what happened he had disappeared into the distance.
“I see shoplifting happening regularly here, but I’m afraid to approach in case they get violent.”
We asked Jason what the Police response has been like.
“I totally get the Police are stretched at present, but a couple of weeks ago we called them when we discovered a person had stolen a bagful of items from us, but there was no answer.
“Due to the fact we can’t detain people we had to let them go, so that person got away with it.
“We have noticed though there has been an increased police presence in High Town recently so hopefully that will help deter the shoplifters.”
Jason added:
“There is a lot of anti social behaviour with drinking and drugs in Hereford city centre and I do feel sorry for these people.
“As a business we donate regularly to the food bank and if somebody was hungry and had no money we would do our best to help, but stealing from our business is just not acceptable.”
