Residents in East Boldon are fed up with "brazen" shoplifters who regularly target a Sainsbury's store and leave with baskets full of goods.
The Sainsbury's Local on Station Terrace has been continually targeted by shoplifters who residents say are blatantly walking into the store and stealing goods in full view of shoppers and staff. The spate of incidents is said to be leaving shop staff "terrified", with some even quitting their jobs due to the stress of what's happening.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, one resident claimed that 11 shoplifting incidents occurred within the space of three days in March and that those responsible are turning up and making their escape on the Metro. The East Boldon Metro stop is less than 100 yards away from the shop.
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Cleadon and East Boldon Conservative Councillor and former Northumbria Police officer, Ian Forster, 61, has spoken to many concerned residents regarding the issues and has even followed suspected shoplifters to the Metro stop.
He said: "These shoplifters have been totally and utterly brazen from the start. The staff are literally terrified. I call in regularly for reassurance but it's just never ending. Sometimes there's four or five incidents a day, and they're not even bothering covering themselves up. They're just picking a basket up and filling it up with meat or whatever else and walking out.
"People have challenged them and they're just brushing past them. I've spoken to Sainsbury's and a security guy was put in, but the shoplifters aren't bothered, they just walk past him. It's just not working. Sainsbury's is a massive company and their reputation is going down the pan."
Coun Forster has even taken pictures of suspected shoplifters after following them from the Sainsbury's store and fears residents are now losing confidence in the police.
He added: "Staff are demoralised, some have even quit because they can't deal with the stress. The police are fully aware of all of this, there's CCTV evidence, there's mountains of it.
"This a group of 10 to 12 individuals who are coming over for multiple visits. I believe it's a matter of time before someone is going to end up getting hurt. I'm an ex-copper of 30 years and I know how much pressure the police are under, but they haven't been very proactive with this."
Northumbria Police is currently carrying out inquiries into the incidents and extra patrols have now been put in place in the area.
A spokesperson for the force said: "We are currently investigating a spate of thefts from Sainsburys on Station Terrace. We have received a number of reports of various items being stolen from the shop, and are working closely with the security staff to view CCTV and carry out a range of enquiries to find those responsible.
"A number of other measures have also been put in place, including additional patrols in the area. We'd ask anyone with concerns or information to get in touch with us, using the Tell us Something page on our website."
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Colleague and customer safety is our highest priority. We have a range of security measures in place which we regularly review.”
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