Norwich retail worker's view on shoplifting and abuse crisis

Patricia Flatt has worked in shops since 2004 and spent the last 12 years at the East of England Co-op in Hall Road, in Lakenham, before being dismissed after an altercation with a shoplifter earlier this year.

Patricia, who lives near the shop, worked with Damion Moon who was also recently fired for trying to challenge thieves.

The 52-year-old said: "There's a shoplifting crisis around the city at the moment. It's terrible what retail workers are currently having to put up with.

Former staff at East of England Co-op in Hall Road, have said that retail workers aren't getting the help they need when it comes to shoplifters (Image: Google Maps)

"The past few years there's been a noticeable increase and it's now the worst it's ever been in 20 years - abuse and threats are an everyday occurrence.

"A banned shoplifter has threatened to 'slit my throat' in front of other customers after I refused to serve them.

"Stock has been thrown and kicked around when shoplifters were politely asked to leave by staff and a couple casually walked in and cut the chain, which secured the charity tin, in front of staff and just walked out.

Patricia Flatt says that shoplifting and abuse directed at staff is the worst it's been in 20 years (Image: Patricia Flatt)

"Concerns have been raised by staff about security and safety at the shop because of the increased reports.

"Damion wouldn't have had to deal with the man behind the counter - a prolific shoplifter - filling his coat up with tobacco if there was more security."

Office for National Statistics figures showed 4,803 shoplifting offences were recorded by Norfolk Constabulary in 2023.

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This was up 30pc from 3,686 offences in 2022 and the highest since comparable records began in 2003.

East of England Co-op in Hall Road (Image: Google Maps)

Patricia believes the problem will only get worse adding: "Something needs to be done soon because people are only going to take advantage of the situation.

"Retail workers aren't getting the help they need with security, or procedures in place, to keep people safe."

Co-op cracks down on shoplifting

The East of England Co-op said last month it had seen its highest-ever levels of shoplifting in 2023, with dozens of shop workers facing abuse from criminals every day.

Matt Hood, Co-op’s managing director of food retail, said repeat prolific offenders and criminal gangs are driving the spike in shop crime.

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The group has invested in body cameras for staff and CCTV, and has also been trialling security measures including secure kiosks, locked doors on high-value products, dummy packaging and automated CCTV.

Recently the Office for National Statistics figures showed shoplifting offences were up 30pc from 2022 to 2023 (Image: Newsquest)

However, Mr Hood revealed that despite introducing more safety measures "the reality" is that employees will still receive a torrent of abuse.

He said: "Despite the extensive measures, the reality is that every day four of our colleagues will be attacked and up to a further 116 will be seriously abused."

The Home Office announced in April that assaulting a retail worker is to become a standalone criminal offence.