50 per cent rise in shoplifting in Burnley town centre (From Lancashire Telegraph)

50 per cent rise in shoplifting in Burnley town centre

8:30am Saturday 25th October 2008

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By Helen Korn »

THE credit crunch has been blamed for a 50 per cent rise in shoplifting in Burnley town centre.

Police said there had been a sharp increase in the offence over the last six months when compared with last year’s figures.

In September the number of shoplifting offences increased by 87 per cent - and across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale there have been an extra 30 offences a month.

Officers said that the economic slump was a contributing factor in the rise and warned they were stepping up patrols to tackle the problem.

Now mounted patrols are being used to monitor the town centre through November while officers are also continuing a scheme to keep prolific offenders away.

Chief Inspector John Puttock said: “Our message to offenders is clear: even though times might be hard for people, there is no excuse for theft and it won’t be tolerated.”

Police said that no specific store was being targeted by thieves, who tended to steal anything which was kept close to the doors.

Chief Insp Puttock added: “We are working closely with local retailers to reduce instances of shoplifting - that includes visiting stores, offering them crime prevention advice, and encouraging them to display warning signs so that offenders know there are security guards and/or CCTV in operation.

“We are providing support to local town centre retailers through increased high visibility patrols and offering appropriate prevention advice.”

Shops in the town centre said that they had noticed a spate of shoplifting offences.

Deputy manager Donna Wilding at Mark One Fashion, Manchester Road, said that thieves tended to steal jewellery, because it isn’t tagged, jeans and formal wear.

She added: “I think it’s a good idea that the police horses will be on the streets.”

A shop assistant from The Works in Burnley said: “People are definitely stealing more in the run up to Christmas because they want stuff they can sell on and get cash for.

“It’s not just our store they target - we are linked to the radio system so we can hear what people are up to.”

A worker at Early Learning Centre in St James Street, said the shop’s losses were not bad but she was aware there was a significant problem in the town centre.

“We are part of the Beat It scheme and that stops prolific offenders coming into shops in the town centre. We recognise the people who steal the most and if they come into the shop, we ask them to leave.

“I think the police scheme is a great idea as I think it will deter thieves.”

Last month the Londis store, at Kitchens Garage, Trafalgar Street, Burnley, put a sign was been put up in its fridge saying: “Due to the fact that our bacon is so delicious the shoplifters can’t resist it. If you would like to try some please ask at the tills.”

Burnley Council leader Gordon Birtwistle said the figures were “outrageous.”

He said: “It’s terrible that people still steal from shops. All that means is that it costs honest people more money because all the prices go up.

“The way to beat shoplifting is to get plain clothed security guards in the shops - they used to have them and collar people as they tried to leave.”

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