Worsening shoplifting 'anarchy' on busy Nottingham street intimidating staff and costing thousands

Nottinghamshire Live is highlighting the impact of shoplifting on smaller and independent businesses in the run-up to Christmas, the busiest time of the year for retail. This week, reporter Joshua Hartley looks at what is happening in Bridlesmith Gate in the city centre.

Worsening shoplifting on a busy Nottingham shopping street is intimidating staff and costing thousands, according to shop workers and owners. The shops on and around Bridlesmith Gate, which has become home to many fashion brands and independent stores over the past few years, have been increasingly targeted by shoplifters and burglars.

This problem seems only to be peaking as the city street gears up for the busy Christmas trading period, with shop workers warning that homeless and drug-addicted people are increasingly carrying out desperate raids that put pressure on smaller firms and intimidate staff. Sami Kemal, 31, who has managed Garms on Bridlesmith Gate for the last one and a half years, said the store faced more shoplifting and burglary than the business' Newcastle and Durham locations and that the situation was worsening - despite greater police attention.

"It's the worst I have ever seen it, you can see people making off with stuff almost every day - from here or other shops. We could have a month where it's plain sailing, and we all relax, but then we have a break-in and more after that - it's like they all share that 'this place is easy to get into' and then you become even more of a target."

"It is the same offenders, and we have to chat with other shops to let them know what they're about. You get people who come in out of the city like from Mansfield or somewhere else, just to cause anarchy."

Mr Kemal explained he recently chased a shoplifter half a mile from the shop while on the phone to the police, who detained the thief at Sneinton Market. "There needs to be more efficient punishment but also better support, these people obviously aren't being noticed by anyone really. These people are doing what they do because they have nothing to lose.

"If they go to prison it'll probably only be for a short time - I suppose some even want that so it's win-win. I think the police are now having to do something because they're just getting so many complaints, but the city council and all the other authorities need to get together and figure out how to sort this issue - more patrols would be a good start."

Garms has installed a number of CCTV cameras to record break-ins, with staff having to take items away from the front of the shop when closing up. Its manager explained the company was having to consider fitting expensive shutters, with Mr Kemal labelling the level of security and effort needed just to sell clothes "frustrating".

Prolific thief Kristie Sharp, 45, was recently jailed for seven months for a series of city thefts, which included stealing a number of designer Ralph Lauren jackets from Garms on September 21. Adam Moore, 25, supervisor of Fopp on Bridlesmith Gate, said that for new shops like his the cumulative impact of shoplifters could make a real difference.

The store, which sells books, CDs and DVDs, opened in June. "As we're a new store the losses we take really count. We'll have people come in a couple of times a week - there's some who we know by name now.

"They've made it out with a couple of hundred pounds worth of stuff before, and because there are a lot of alleyways and it's busy around here people can just disappear. It impacts staff morale really badly and you never know what desperation could drive people to do."

Mr Moore joined calls for more police to be stationed nearby, explaining that a patrol car parked nearby seemed to put people off just by its presence. He added: "They [police] are having to come here every five minutes to get statements and footage from us anyway, so they might as well stick around."

Liam Stanhope, 30, who opened Metro Fashion on nearby Middle Pavement four months ago, said he had lost around £8,000 through burglaries and closures caused by break-ins in October. "We are really new and trying to get people through the door and this obviously puts people off when they see it happen, or the boarded-up shop afterwards," the businessman said.

"It's something the police seem to be taking more seriously now, but I still think they're much quicker whenever something happens on places like Clumber Street. People shop down here because it's the main place for fashion in the city, and if we want a successful economy we can't have workers scared to work in shops alone.

"Prison probably doesn't really work, as they all seem to be repeat offenders, but maybe offering proper help would prevent them going back to crime." Callum Northage, 27, who raided Metro Fashion on October 9 and 13 for a £1,200 coat and £410 more in other items, was recently jailed for 19 months over his wider crime spree.

Nottinghamshire Police said it was working with businesses and other partners within the city to tackle shoplifting. Inspector Ollie Vale, Nottinghamshire Police’s business and retail crime lead, said: “Most shoplifting offences are committed by those who have complex needs, such as substance misuse, or organised criminal groups, who steal items in bulk to sell for profit.

"Help and support services must be available to vulnerable people, however, we will not hesitate to take action against both groups if they continue with their criminal behaviour." Mr Vale added officers had visited dozens of stores during days devoted to retail crime.

Do you run a small retail business? Would you like to talk to us about shoplifting and the impact it has? Email joshua.hartley@reachplc.com.