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Search forCHELMSFORD: Christmas shoplifters told: Yule be nicked!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 11:28
At High Chelmer Shopping Centre there are a team of highly-trained, police-accredited security staff on duty throughout the day – but still up to £50,000 of goods disappear each month.
Mike McDonagh, centre manager, was quick to point out that some of this loss is attributed to logistical errors and internal theft. But shoplifters are still responsible for a great deal of the losses, and at a time when so many shops are struggling to make a profit it is being felt more than ever before.
The picture is mirrored up and down the High Street, not just in Chelmsford but elsewhere in the country, and although many perceive shoplifting as a victimless crime it is actually the real customers who are losing out.
Mr McDonagh said: "I would like to dispel the presumption that shop theft is perceived to be a victimless crime.
"Home Office reports would tell you that shop theft funds drug and drink habits, even terrorism.
"Furthermore, somebody has to pay for increased insurance premiums and security measures – and that is the shopping public."
The good news is the heightened security is paying off – last year £14,205 worth of goods were recovered and the figure for this year already stands at £18,244.
Figures released by High Chelmer show customer service staff dealt with 852 incidents last year ranging from criminal damage to parking violations.
There were 304 people caught shoplifting and 219 suspects were arrested, while a further 50 were handed fixed penalties.
Reassuring the 10.3 million shoppers who visit the centre each year, Mr McDonagh said: "Essex is a very safe place to live and operate a business with instances of business crime in the county at just a third of levels seen nationally."
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