Kettering shoplifting is breaking us, say retailers

Retailers in a town where shoplifting has increased say they are facing a constant battle against offenders.

The owner of a home and gift shop in Kettering, Northamptonshire, said some of those stealing items were regular customers, which was 'heartbreaking'.

The police, however, said there had been more "positive outcomes" despite the increase.

Some business owners say they might have to close down if the situation does not improve.

Davina Parkhouse's store in Kettering is difficult to miss. The Bean Hive is on a corner and painted in bright pink.

Slightly less attractive are the security camera stickers on the walls inside.

Ms Parkhouse said: "We've got new camera systems, which we thought would stop it, but we've then realised how many of our regular customers are stealing from us, which is heartbreaking.

"Why would we keep going? It is such a lot of effort.

"It breaks us all the time. It's not even the money that would put us out of business. It's just how demoralising it is."

Caroline Dumpleton runs a boutique selling second-hand clothes and shoes. She said: "They seem to steal anything, or change hangers, change prices.

"I've had to leave [only] one shoe out because they've started to take shoes, swap shoes, leave an old coat... nothing's safe."

She, too, says the situation is "heartbreaking".

Northamptonshire Police said it was working closely with local retailers and suggested the increase in shoplifting reports was because of improved detection.

The force launched Operation Elegance in the spring, which funded two "retail crime evidence gatherers".

In August, officers said - that since the operation was launched - about 20% of retail crime reports in the county were leading to criminal charges or were being "otherwise dealt with".

Ch Insp Carl Wilson, the force's lead on retail crime, said: "For the period between May and October, we've a 50% increase in positive outcomes for shoplifting offences and they are generally charges and individuals being sent to court.

"Although we are doing this in the backdrop of increasing offences, our positive outcome rates are going in the right direction."

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