10:59PM, Sun Sep 2, 2012

Shameless Shoplifter: ‘Why Pay When It’s So Easy? Shops Are Asking For It’

By India Adams Location: Sunderland

Video: Former shoplifter Anthony Lynch has no regrets

With shoplifting on the rise across the UK, one shameless thief tells Sky Tyne and Wear he has no regrets about his serial stealing.

Anthony Lynch from Sunderland admits he shoplifted for more than a decade and says retailers make it too easy for opportunistic thieves.

He said: “It’s so easy, you’d be a fool not to do it. Some shops don’t even alarm the clothes.

“I used to walk straight into the shop, put the clothes on and walk out. They’re idiots for leaving stuff lying around.

“I’m an opportunistic thief so if there was something worth stealing, I’d take it. Why pay for something that doesn’t need to be paid for?”

Since 2011, retailers own research has shown that stock losses are up by 10 percent, while in the Northumbria Police force area, shoplifting arrests have fallen overall from 2008 to 2011.

In South Shields, shoplifting prevention remains a priority and Operation Intrepid is targeting retail crime in the Borough.

Video: South Shields police crack down on shoplifting with Operation Intrepid

Sgt Nick Gjorven, Neighbourhood Officer for South Shields town centre, said: “In August alone we had 55 arrests for shoplifting.

“We have a deter policy, using signage in shop windows warning away potential thieves and we have a strong partnership ethic with the Shop Watch scheme, sharing intelligence about well-known offenders.

“Using this policy, we’re estimated to have prevented around £80,000 worth of stock losses from stores in South Shields town centre.”

For more information on preventing shoplifting click here.

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