Charity shop chain closes changing rooms to deter callous shoplifters

30 July 2024 , 14:01

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Charity shop chain closes changing rooms to deter callous shoplifters

Guild Care, a charity based in Sussex, has closed all but two of its changing rooms due to the increase in shoplifting in the UK. Levels of the crime are at a new 20-year high

A charity shop says it has been forced to shut almost all of its changing rooms - because of callous shoplifters.

Guild Care, which has 15 stores across Sussex, said it had shut all but two of its changing rooms to deter thieves. Loose change is even being stolen from donation tins by the tills, the charity said. The number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales has risen to a new 20-year high, the Guardian said last week. 

A total of 443,995 offences were logged by forces in the year to March 2024 - up 30% on the 342,428 recorded in the previous 12 months. Adam Ridler, the Worthing-based charity’s head of retail, said: "Unfortunately, shoplifting from our charity shops has become more widespread.

The number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales has risen to a new 20-year high ( Image: Guild Care/SWNS)

"We’ve definitely seen a marked increase since Covid and the financial crisis. We know this issue isn’t unique to charity shops - it’s also a concerning trend in the main retail sector." Mr Rider added that two of the social care charity’s shops had been broken into over the last two years, with thieves stealing donation tins off counters for the loose change. 

"It’s shocking that anyone could think it’s acceptable to steal from a charity supporting the most vulnerable in our community," he said. Guild Care - which also operates stores in Crawley, Goring and Hove - said closing changing rooms had not impacted trade or revenue, although customers still asked for them.

Thomas Brown