A STAFF member carries out a routine stock check at a popular high street store. The suspected items are down again – chicken, steak and Nurofen tablets.
She goes to the back room to check CCTV. To her shock, it’s not one of the usual culprits she sees swiping items from the shelves. It’s an elderly man she doesn’t recognise.
“It’s happening three times a day, if not more,” the staff member, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Manchester Evening News. “It’s so much worse recently.
“It’s people you’re not expecting too – some of the old clientele you wouldn’t even expect. When you look at the stuff they’re shoplifting, it’s not essential.
“Nurofen is a popular item, so is chicken and steak. We stock check every few hours and look through CCTV if any of it is low.
“We’ve started installing facial recognition cameras now. Some days the amount stolen is into the hundreds. There’s been a massive increase.”
Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour has become a problem in the Leigh area of Wigan in recent times, with police announcing a crackdown earlier this month.
Officers have upped patrols in the town while the council has introduced safety marshals so people can “enjoy public spaces”.
Peter Freeman, who owns The Pictorium Gallery on Leigh high street, says he’s been forced to hike his prices by two per cent to make up for stolen items.
His store was targeted so badly over the festive period the 62-year-old had to keep a staff member on his door at all times.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 31, 2024 من MEN on Sunday.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 31, 2024 من MEN on Sunday.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
It's not all about me - Pep's praise for backroom staff
PEP Guardiola laughed off the idea that he is the main reason behind City's dominance, as rivals hope for his departure.
I'M STAYING! Season finale has no bearing on Pep's future
PEP Guardiola insists today's final day will have no bearing on his personal future at City, with the club eyeing history in the Premier League.
City play waiting game as title rivals hope for glory by default
CITY are on the verge of creating English football history and on the balance of play this season, it would be deserved.
Boss chooses words cafefully as he looks to legacy of youth
ERIK ten Hag was in good form after United's win against Newcastle, so it wasn't a surprise he arrived at his press conference the next day with a spring in his step.
ETH 'I look at our two games.Other issues will only distract us'
ERIK ten Hag brushed aside potential distractions with the under-fire United manager's full focus on ending a poor season with two victories.
Sale are a Manu down but clinch play-off spot
SALE survived the loss of Manu Tuilagi to clinch a Gallagher Premiership playoff spot thanks to a 20-10 upset win at Saracens.
Wigan take revenge in Hull of a mauling
RUTHLESS Wigan gained revenge for last year's Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final heartbreak as they crushed Hull KR 38-6 in Doncaster to seal their return to Wembley for the first time since 2017.
Ex-head backs MP in pupil phone ban
AS general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Pepe Di'lasio puts across the views of thousands of senior education officials to Government Ministers and in the media.
I felt like I was in a freak show ... now life is amazing
How holiday flight changed Sarah's life after years of weight struggles
'No regrets' for foster mum who's cared for 40 children
'It's a challenging but brilliant job'