Shoplifters are repeatedly targeting Lincoln’s B&M store new figures suggest – with almost half of all city centre retail thefts occurring at the discount shop.
A crime map compiled by Lincolnshire Police has revealed that, in just one month, there were 46 shoplifting incidents reported – with 18 of those at B&M in Waterside South.
Wider figures show there were a total of 509 retail thefts reported in Lincoln in the year from November 2023 to October 2024, and some 1291 cases since December 2021.
Donna Morris, 54, the general manager at this B&M, said: “We get shoplifters every day.
“Often things get a little bit violent, and I’ve got young people that work here, and they’re affected daily by it.”
The Police UK website outlines what employees should do if they notice a shoplifter.
It says to ask them politely to return the item, in a neutral tone and to back off if they feel threatened.
Mrs Morris said: “We follow the person around on camera. We also actually physically follow the person around the store if it’s safe to do so.
“We’re on the radio, so we link with Lincoln BIG [business improvement group], and the city wardens come down and help us.
“But if somebody does try to leave with the stock, we approach them to say, can we have it back please?
“They’re often just going to run and I’m in no fit state to run after shoplifters, so we let them go. Safety is paramount, and I don’t want anybody hurt over a Hoover or a pack of Pokémon cards.”
