“It’s exactly the same as if they had stolen from my home”

Friday 04 October 2019

A local surf store boss is calling for a crackdown on theft as he revealed that the problem is losing him “thousands of pounds a year”.

Madhatter owner Steve Wilkinson’s comments came after shop workers were forced to intervene when two young women – both believed to be in their teens – were spotted on CCTV taking items from the Halkett Street shop on Wednesday.

Police have now agreed to look into the matter further.

In a post on Facebook accompanied by distorted images of the young suspects, the retailer recalled: “[The two girls] acted extremely suspicious from the moment they walked in and once they went downstairs we watched their every move from a CCTV monitor.

“It was here we were able to see them enter the changing rooms with their bag and some of our clothes and leave with just the bag. After they hurried out the shop we caught them putting the bracelet into a bag and stopped them, retaining all the items.” 

But the latest confrontation was one in a spate of thefts to have hit the shop this year, wasting its “time, money and resources”.

“I accept that I don't have as much of a problem as in some areas of the UK, but it still equates to thousands of pounds a year,” Mr Wilkinson told Express.

“What really annoys me is that most of the people stealing from me wouldn't dream of breaking into a house and someone’s car, but don't think there is much a problem stealing from my shop… As the owner of a small business, I have to pay for the stolen goods. To me, it is exactly the same as if they had stolen from my home.”

Pictured: Madhatter's town store in Halkett Street. (Madhatter)

He further expressed fears that “the authorities’ response also reinforces this year”, as he called for “zero tolerance of this sort of crime.”

“I understand that not every case can or should go to court, but it should be common knowledge that it is completely unacceptable and you've going to get into a lot of trouble. I really think this will help.”

The Police have, however, been “very helpful” in the most recent case, he added.

A Police spokesperson commented: “The alleged offence has been reported to SoJP and an appointment arranged to record the complaint and gather evidence. A decision will then be made on subsequent investigation/action.”

The news comes as new figures reveal that there have been 41 thefts involving under-17s this year alone. 

Pictured: Madhatter owner Steve Wilkinson wants to see a "zero tolerance" approach to theft.

19 involved children aged between seven and 14 years old, with that figure rising to 22 among 15 to 17-year-olds.

The latter group saw a big rise from the previous year, when there were only two.