South East Businesses Caution Shoppers Amid Rise in Organized Shoplifting for Online Resale

Retailers in the South East have issued a caution to shoppers, urging vigilance due to criminal gangs engaging in “shoplifting to order” and subsequently reselling goods online. Businesses report that shoplifting presents a significant challenge leading up to Christmas, as perpetrators utilize online marketplaces to offload stolen merchandise. Law enforcement officials have indicated that organized criminal groups are conducting extensive operations to pilfer items for resale. Rebecca Hogben, from the Tunbridge Wells Blue Diamond Garden Centre, a location that has been repeatedly targeted, stated, “I believe they have lists on their phones when they come in.” She further elaborated on the impact, adding, “It’s very upsetting as a business because losses are crazy this year and of course it impacts us on how we run our centres.” Hogben also noted, “Whether we have to cut back on other areas like staffing because we have to pay for the cost of the loss to our business.” According to Hogben, the Jellycat line of cuddly toys has frequently been a target for individuals engaging in shoplifting. Hogben explained the measures taken, stating, “We’ve had to put in place measures to deter the theft. We had started with tagging but were losing so many of them a week that we had to move the display.” She also reported the theft of an entire collection of water bottles, valued at over £500. Sussex Police indicated that shoplifting is progressively being carried out by organized groups. Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, informed the BBC, “It pretty much is organised crime and certainly the gangs behind this are shoplifting to order and it has been on the increase, but police forces like Sussex are very aware.” She added, “We are mapping these gangs. We have the intelligence and data so we can come after them.” Tracey Carter, the Surrey development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, described the national annual cost to small businesses, estimated at approximately £13 billion, as “staggering.” Law enforcement officials advised shoppers seeking Christmas bargains to exercise caution regarding unusually inexpensive items found on online marketplaces. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.