Royal Mile Retailers Describe “Lawless” Environment Amidst Rise in “Smash-and-Grab” Thefts

Retailers on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile describe the area as “lawless” due to “smash-and-grab” thefts, which have resulted in thousands of pounds’ worth of merchandise being stolen over recent months. CCTV footage acquired by BBC News depicts individuals exiting stores with valuable cashmere scarves, jumpers, and jackets during daylight hours. In one instance, a man was observed at night forcibly breaking a plate-glass window to abscond with numerous Harris Tweed bags, each valued at up to £150. Employees report that the vicinity has grown hazardous and threatening, and despite submitting theft reports to the police almost daily, no action has been taken. Police Scotland states that a specialized team is collaborating with local businesses and is looking into every reported incident. Galab Singh Gold, proprietor of numerous establishments on and near the Royal Mile, informed BBC News that he had incurred £15,000 in stolen merchandise over the past three months. Additionally, he is burdened with expenses for replacing damaged windows, with one particular incident costing £3,000. He mentioned possessing hours of CCTV footage illustrating the “brazen” nature of the thieves, who were “kicking in windows” in full view of passers-by. The 47-year-old stated that this period represented the most severe situation he had witnessed during the 35 years his family has operated shops on the renowned mile. He suspects gang involvement, having observed the same individuals pilfering high-end goods on multiple occasions. He commented, “Someone is either ordering these bags or they know people that are buying them so they know it will be easy to get rid of the bags,” He added, “The police say they don’t have the resources to tackle something like this but it’s not just petty crime any more – this is organised theft.” Mr Singh Gold recounted instances where thieves entered shops during the day and stared at staff “dead in the eye” as they took quantities of cashmere and other costly merchandise. A staff member has been physically assaulted with a punch to the face, while other employees have been pushed to the ground. Several individuals report experiencing intimidation and verbal abuse when attempting to stop thieves. Mr Singh Gold further stated: “We have lost several good members of staff because they feel threatened and unsafe at work now.” He continued: “We have had staff threatened at work saying ‘I know which bus you catch on the way home and I’m going to be waiting for you’.” He concluded: “We are sick of calling the police and making reports and downloading CCTV and then nothing happens.” Describing the issue as a “theftdemic,” Mr Singh Gold indicated he would need to hire daytime security guards at a cost of £8,000 per month. He explained that thieves observe his stores, seeking chances to take entire baskets of merchandise before disappearing into adjacent closes. He remarked, “It’s shocking that it’s allowed to take place on the most prestigious street in the country,” He asserted, “The city centre has become lawless and this is where they are getting the brazenness because they know that the systems we have in place with the policing and the control of crime has failed.” Maria Sanchez, who manages Marchbrae on the Royal Mile, informed BBC Scotland that she was struck in the face by a woman carrying a vape device. The 46-year-old, an employee at Mr Singh Gold’s establishment for seven years, characterized the thieves as “very aggressive.” She stated, “They know their rights, they know we cannot touch them and most of the staff are scared of them,” She explained, “When we call the police they say if it’s not dangerous then they will just take a statement over the phone, and pop out a few days later for you to sign it.” She recounted that the day following her assault, several thieves were waiting for her outside the store, necessitating her call for assistance from colleagues. She expressed, “It’s very dark when I leave work and it makes me feel scared,” adding, “It is a very dangerous street now as it’s full of criminals.” Sabine Fischlin, manager of the Woollen Mill on the Royal Mile, reported that the situation has been “significantly worse” since August. Currently, employees take all Harris Tweed handbags from the shop windows prior to closing. She stated: “We feel unsafe, stressed and staff members are feeling constantly on edge.” She added: “We are expecting it to happen at any moment and it’s affecting some staff member’s sleep at this point.” She concluded: “We are in contact with police on almost a daily basis at this point.” Police verified that a 43-year-old man was recently charged in connection with thefts from two establishments on the Royal Mile in October. Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton of Police Scotland indicated that the force was “fully aware” of the persistent theft problems in the locality. He mentioned the presence of a dedicated team collaborating with businesses and confirmed that police conduct routine patrols. He affirmed: “I can assure everyone that we are investigating all incidents reported to us.” He continued: “We work closely with the retail and business sectors to deter, prevent and investigate retail crime. ” He added: “Where we identify businesses which are being targeted by shoplifters, we have trained officers who can attend and carry out security surveys and offer advice around prevention.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external sites. Details concerning our external linking policy are available.