EXCLUSIVE:’They are robbing the shelves of everything and abusing us daily’-Harold Hill shop workers speak out against the horrendous increase in shoplifting.

Supermarket worker violently struck on the head by thieves at the Hilldene shopping centre as shopworkers express their anger at the constant daily abuse that they face.

A special meeting was held yesterday, 9 October at Harold Hill library to urgently discuss the high level of shoplifting taking place in the area. The meeting was organised by two local community champions Simon Ford and Jan Sargeant who not only care passionately about their local area, but stand in solidarity with their community and its shop workers who are now being abused and assaulted daily.

The meeting saw Simon and Jan joined by Havering Council Enforcement Manager, Jane Eaststaff who is a very proactive member of the community who works hard to tackle anti social behaviour, and Inspector Routley from Havering police. Shop staff from Sainsbury’s, Greggs, Co-op, Sense, and other outlets at the Hilldene shopping centre attended in a bid to not only express their anger and frustrations at the continuous abuse they face, but also in the hope to find a way forward to try and stem the level of criminality taking place each day.

Store workers spoke openly about the ongoing situation. Staff from Greggs said:”We open at 6am and as soon as we open they are robbing the shelves of everything we put out, literally taking handfuls. They hurl abuse at us, we don’t feel safe anymore. I had a drink bottle thrown at my head, I had to dial 999 and no one came. Everyday we are robbed and abused.”

The Area Manager from Greggs spoke about the increase in shoplifting right across Havering: “It has doubled lately, even in areas such as Upminster now where there previously wasn’t any, we have seen daily thefts. In the Romford store, staff at times have had to close the shop doors as they felt vulnerable.”

Co-op staff spoke about thieves targeting certain items, coming in with large bags and just openly without a care, taking what they want off the shelves and walking out with huge bag fulls. Staff have been abused physically and verbally, threatened daily and are now scared to walk home as thieves sit outside the store each day. They also spoke about how low morale is amongst shop workers after their repeated abuse.

Staff from the charity shop Sense told the Havering Daily: “They come in and rob us most days. We know we cannot put certain items out now, as they will be stolen, so we are careful of what we put out in the store. They frequently target clothes by brands such as Superdry and labels like that. Most of the staff are used to this now, it’s how it is.”

A Sainsbury’s staff member was recently violently struck on the head by a thief with a full can of drink in another attack in Hilldene.

During the meeting shop workers asked the local police Inspector if it was a law that police officers do not come out for thefts under £200, or just a another Home Office initiative. The response was that it was a Home office initiative as the law stated theft is theft regardless of the amount.

The use of store security guards was also discussed and Scott Squibb owner of JFF Security and Solutions, who provide high levels of specialist security told the meeting attendees: “Most store guards are paid below minimum wage and are not trained to tackle shoplifters, especially if they are armed with knives. Stores frequently take low paid workers who do their best in shops, but cannot deal with thieves as they do not have adequate training.”

Inspector Routley did inform staff that a new initiative was going to be rolled out in the area that will target thieves and many of the anti social behaviour issues going on that are frequently linked.

Simon Ford and Jan Sargeant are working daily to help reduce these issues in their community and liaise with staff everyday and the police, in a hope that a united front will now bring a much needed solution to this awful situation.

Simon Ford, Inspector Routley, Jane Eastaff and Jan Sargeant at the meeting last night.

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