Suspect shoplifting – Boots, Portswood (and response from A’ON)

A member reported that she was in Boots Portswood recently and saw a man who looked as though he was filling his rucksack with 8-10 items from the shelves. An alarm went off informing people that they were being visually recorded. She understands that an alarm goes off whenever a suspect shoplifter is seen in the shop and that the alarm connects to a national centre where every Boots store is monitored for theft. Also, that staff have been told that they must not intercept anyone who might be stealing. The man finished filling his rucksack and left. According to the staff in Boots, they have 14 – 15 incidents of shoplifting by the same people each day.  The police usually arrive hours after any reported event and cannot do anything.  

There is no policy, per se – crime is treated on its merits and the police will endeavour to attend incidents where it is appropriate and resourcing allows.

A’ON response: “Boots do not routinely report every incident as an active theft; they frequently report incidents retrospectively rather than calling police at the moment they occur. When Boots (or any business) reports an active shoplifting, attendance depends on police resourcing and priorities at that given time, so we are not always able to attend every live incident, although we do attend when possible. That being said, every reported shoplifting in Portswood is followed up by PC Pollicott, our designated shoplifting officer. Follow-up enquiries include reviewing CCTV, taking witness statements, and other investigative steps to progress each case.