Suspect shoplifting – Boots, Portswood

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.