A SUPERMARKET in South Reading has been targeted by shoplifters ‘for three years’, leaving residents fearing for the store’s future.
According to customers individuals conduct thefts regularly at the Co-op on Whitley Wood Road, during hours when no security is on-site.
They have called for help from the police, with one councillor suggesting the store loses up to £20,000 per month in stolen goods, a claim Co-op has denied.
One resident said: “The shoplifters are doing it for drugs. It happens four-five times in the morning before midday. They go to the meat section and just sweep them into big bags – sweets, chocolates, they even go to the wine and champagne sections.
“They do it in front of everyone, kids as well. The staff are telling them not to, but you can’t blame the staff, they’re just doing their day job. About six months ago, I saw a member of the public wrestle someone who was trying to steal.
“We’ve got two grandchildren so we won’t go in there anymore. These things affect people’s mental health.
“We’ve spoken to the police and they came to the store, but only stayed outside. They couldn’t be bothered to tell them how to fill out the incident reports but they use the excuse saying it’s not being done.
“We’ve lived here in Whitley for 40 years – we’d leave it if we could, but part of us feel it’s our duty to make sure this gets solved. We’ve heard that the store might close.”
He added that shelves are regularly ‘virtually empty’, which could have an impact on residents who aren’t able to access other stores easily.
Residents have spoken to representatives from the police and contacted Reading West MP Alok Sharma. Despite assurances, they claim that the issues persist.
On Friday, June 2, Whitley councillor Micky Leng tweeted: “Robbed twice again this morning. [The store is] losing up to £20,000 per month.”
This figure was rejected by the Co-op, who also confirmed there are no plans to close the store.
A Co-op spokesperson said: ‘Shoplifting is an ongoing challenge across all retailers and protecting the safety of colleagues is our clear priority. As we know, shoplifting can also be a flashpoint for violence against shopworkers, which no one should have to face when going about their job.
“We work closely with the police and have successfully campaigned for stricter sentences for violent incidents against retail workers. Co-op uses a wide-range of security measures across its stores including interactive CCTV; body-worn cameras, communication headsets for all frontline colleagues and, covert and non-covert guarding and security”.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Thames Valley Police takes all reports of shoplifting seriously and we will always respond to incidents that affect our communities the most, particularly where threat, harm and risk is at its greatest.
“We continue to work with local businesses to prevent such offences and investigate where evidence is available.”
