A spike in chocolate theft has affected the way independent businesses in Sheffield run, leaving owners anxious and unable to cover the loss of stock.
The Association of Convenience Stores are warning that the rise in chocolate theft in both small businesses and supermarket chains is due to ‘prolific offenders’ who are ‘selling it on’ through illicit markets.
The Bare Alternative, a sustainable low-waste shop on Abbeydale Road were targeted by thieves recently, and the owner, Mathew Reynolds, said that the ordeal has caused ‘a great deal of emotional distress’.
The thieves stole 28 chocolate bars on 17th February, and returned just 72 hours later to steal a further four before a staff member noticed.
Mr Reynolds said: “The incidents have also required adjustments to be made to the way and times we work in the shop, as we felt it necessary that two people work at all times to cover the potential of any future events, and ensure that staff have some feeling of safety.
“It has changed the way in which we handle day-to-day duties while working in the shop, having to constantly check every person that enters the shop to ensure another incident isn’t about to happen, which bears a high mental toll, also affecting the service given to customers”.
Comments on the shop’s social media advised to install a doorbell so they know when people are entering the shop, and to greet customers so they are aware they are being watched if they start acting suspiciously.
Chief Inspector Kay Fitzgerald of South Yorkshire police has said they aim to investigate every single shoplifting offence reported to them and would ‘encourage’ victims of retail shoplifting to always report.
Conversely, Ella Kent, a co-op member of natural food shop Beanie’s Wholefoods, suggested that they personally received ‘not a lot of support’ from the police after reporting incidents, including one from December in which someone stole 26 chocolate bars to resell.
Ms Kent claimed their store has ‘upped security’, but with the money and time it takes to rectify situations like this with the police and their perceived lack of support, she personally wonders, ‘Is it even worth it?’.
