Shop workers at a store in Lincoln have called for tighter security measures to be introduced following several theft incidents over recent months.
Shops in the Carlton Centre and nearby Deacon Road retail park by the St Giles area of Lincoln are frequently hit by shoplifters and often face confrontations with the people responsible.
One of the shops targeted by theft is JYSK, a homeware store on the retail park. Over recent weeks the store has had numerous products stolen with thieves targeting the bedding section which they then go on to sell to make a profit, staff at the store say.
Staff have tried to prevent such occurrences taken place by planting faux duvets with the real products being kept in their stockroom, however these measures have not led to a decrease in the number of thefts at the store.
Staff also use security tags on items over a certain price which triggers the alarms when a customer leaves the store.
Store manager Alex Hampson believes that to stop shoplifters: ‘‘The retail park needs to implement a radio service between stores and the Police, similar to Lincoln BIG on the High Street’’.
He also thinks that having a patrolling security guard present around the retail park would be beneficial for his team in order for them to feel safe.
Sales Assistant Jakub Kaczmarski said: ‘‘Something really needs to be done to decrease the number of attempted shoplifters we have because it’s a risk not just to us but to the public as well’’.
Shop Workers in all the stores in the area have tried to take measures into their own hands with the formation of a group chat between them.
Since the formation of the chat in the summer CCTV images of suspects have been placed into it which allows for staff to keep a look out and prepare for any potential shoplifters heading towards their store.
However, this has been unsuccessful in preventing theft in the area.
Lincolnshire Police have been contacted but have not yet said whether there are any plans for an increased security presence within the area.
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