Charity shops ‘sitting ducks’ as thieves strike every day

CHARITY shops in Scotland have experienced a sharp rise in shoplifting incidents, with some areas targeted almost daily, it emerged yesterday.

Shelter Scotland, which runs 36 shops, said they were the victims of more than a dozen thefts a week. Some shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are hit so often that managers are forced to spend more time dealing with shoplifters than selling stock.

The charity is asking for police to take firmer action against thieves, who see charity retailers as “sitting ducks”.

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Research released this month reported a 20 per cent increase in shoplifting in charity shops over the past two years, up from an estimated £4.25 million to £5.1m in 2011. In comparison, there was a 14 per cent increase in shoplifting rates across the high street.

Expensive donated items and vintage “retro” items, which can be sold on eBay, are particularly sought after.

However, the most common target is clothing, with numerous items being taken into changing rooms and having their pricetags ripped off and the clothes worn out of the shop.

While the charity said it kept high-value items in a safe overnight and reported every case of shoplifting to the police, with detailed descriptions of thieves, it was unable to afford anti-theft technology, such as CCTV.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said the charity was asking for police to take firmer action against thieves.

“We’re deeply disappointed and saddened that our shops are increasingly being targeted by shoplifters, but we will not stand for it any longer,” he said.

“Our shops are a vital source of income in our fight to end bad housing and homelessness, so anything that diverts from that cause is simply unacceptable. Our shops are staffed largely by dedicated volunteers, who give up their own time and efforts for a good cause.

“Unfortunately, a lot of their time is increasingly spent in dealing with and preventing thieves, almost on a daily basis.”

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A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland said: “It is particularly heartless that thieves should target charity shops, which do not necessarily have the same levels of security as bigger retail businesses and may be run by volunteers.

“If the people who run these shops require advice or assistance with aspects of security, they should contact their local police office.”

Professor Paul Freathy, of the Institute of Retail Studies at the University of Stirling, said basic merchandising techniques and staff training would reduce the problem of shoplifting, but it could not be entirely eliminated.

“If a thief is going to target a shop, are they going to go for a high street store with security or a charity shop which is staffed mostly by semi-retired, low-trained people?” said Professor Freathy.

“Charity shops are no longer full of cheap and cheerful bric-a-brac, but often have good-quality goods.”