“Shoplifters make me afraid to go to work”

A woman who works in a charity shop says she is “terrified” of going to work because of an increase in shoplifting.

Vivienne McCormick, a 25-year-old sales assistant at the British Heart Foundation in Nottingham, said she was once verbally abused and threatened by a thief.

Other shopkeepers in Nottinghamshire are expressing frustration as figures show that shoplifting rates in the county have almost doubled in the past eight years.

Nottinghamshire Police said a number of measures had been implemented to combat the problem, including banning offenders from entering certain areas.

Last year, more than 430,000 shoplifting incidents were recorded in England and Wales. the highest level since records began in 2003.

The Home Office announced the introduction of a new criminal offence for assaults on retail workers. In a statement, it said it would “reintroduce neighbourhood policing” and recruit additional officers.

Ms McCormick, who works in Nottingham city centre, told the BBC she had experienced first-hand abuse by shoplifters.

“I received death threats,” she said. “Someone jumped right in my face and insulted and threatened me.”

“I have moments when I’m afraid to go to work because of this, and I love my job. No one gets paid enough for the abuse they endure from shoplifters.”

Rachel Miller, 48, is director of Mesopotamia in Basford, a charity that provides aid to refugees around the world and helps the homeless in Nottingham.

She said shoplifting had reached levels she had never seen before.

“Instead of buying one or two things, people are filling bags and shopping carts,” she said.

“Recently a family came to us and stole a stroller.

“We sold it for £40 and the money would have gone to the food bank, which could have fed a family for a week.”

“This is very, very frustrating for us. We see no consequences for this – they are brazen and we are seeing it more and more brazenly.”

John Conlon, 67, runs Oxfam Books and Music in Carter Gate, Mansfield.

He said charity shops appeared to be targets of thieves.

“Our donation box was stolen, and the YMCA donation box was stolen because that’s the only money in the store,” he said.

“It’s really annoying. The volunteers are really upset and most people in the city are really upset.

“The idea that charity shops are being targeted is really worrying.”

Kelly Gibson, an assistant manager at the Lighthouse charity shop in Mansfield, says shoplifters come by every day to steal.

The 45-year-old said the extent of the thefts “makes me angry” and called for more support.

“We often find a dozen empty hangers every day,” she said.

“I just think more needs to be done.

“The police only react when a certain amount is exceeded.”

Nottinghamshire Police said its measures to prevent shoplifting included shop watch programs that ban offenders from entering certain areas and force them to seek help for drug and alcohol abuse.

Superintendent Chris Pearson said: “Most of the shoplifting we deal with is committed by one of two groups: people on the margins of society who often steal to fund their addiction, and organised groups who steal for profit.

“We are continually working with local businesses and other partners to build resilience and provide advice. We also regularly hold proactive action days where we work with businesses.”

Follow BBC Nottingham on on facebook.To Xor on InstagramSend your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.