Local businesses have shared their experiences of shoplifting following a recent social media post about distraction thefts in Sherwood.
According to a Facebook post in a community group, a woman had recently been observed stealing and attempting to steal items on Mansfield Road, Sherwood.
Reports say one of the lady’s methods is to distract shop staff by talking with them.
Local businesses on Mansfield Road told Nottinghamshire Live said they think ‘crime is getting worse’.
Holly Farmer, 26, a sales assistant at Elefair, a gift shop on Mansfield Road, says that the store experienced a distraction theft and says they often have a family in the store stealing.
She said: “We have a family that comes in and they seem pleasant to talk to - I was speaking to a lady at the till and the other lady was at the cabinet and it opened.
“I think two bracelets are gone.
“We do get a bit here and there - they haggle with things.
“They stole a wooden thing.
“They’ve definitely stolen bracelets, a musical instrument - little bits here and there.
“You (become) a bit suspicious - I’ve tried to put things in front of (the cabinet) and make it difficult to open.”
Wihid Shtro, 27, sales assistant at Sherwood Booze, says someone took two chocolate bars while he was working there.
Mr Shtro said: ”She came in the next day and I told her she’s not welcome here.
He told Nottinghamshire Live that there’s nothing you can do to stop the stealing.
Mr Shtro added: “I know the owner feels this is bad.
“I feel bad about it but there's nothing I can do.
“I’m not suspicious of anyone - you can’t judge anyone.
“I can’t disrespect anyone. I go into stops as well.
“At the end of the day I can’t stop the stealing.
“Usually they take it and you don't know it - the small things.”
Andrea Downing, 41, is the owner of Andrea's Treasures on Mansfield Road Sherwood and she had never had any problems.
“When I’m on my own and two customers are in, I do keep an eye on them," she said.
“If they shoplift - do you approach them or leave them? You never know if they’re carrying a knife.
“It is scary though.
“Crimes are getting worse.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Christine Busuttil, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We take incidents of shoplifting seriously and our work is ongoing to reduce this type of crime.
“Officers have worked tirelessly to reduce shoplifting offences in the local area which has included carrying out proactive operations to clamp down on this issue.
“Positive action we have taken, after listening to people’s concerns, has resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in shoplifting over the last two weeks.
“This success follows operational activity and proactive patrols in Bulwell involving the local neighbourhood policing team, which also covers Sherwood and surrounding areas.
“Shoplifting can have a huge impact on businesses financially but also on staff emotionally and that is why we work incredibly hard with local businesses and partners to respond to incidents when they are reported to us and target offenders.
“Our officers will continue to patrol in both high visibility and plain clothes in order to deter or catch offenders red-handed and take appropriate action.
“We will continue to deal robustly with shop theft perpetrators and always do everything in our power to bring those involved in this sort of criminality to justice as well as doing all we can to prevent incidents from happening in the first place.”
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