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Shoplifting across the country is costing an estimated £4.2billion (Pictured is a thief in action at another shop)
Posted on 07/19/2025 9:20:58 AM PDT by dennisw
A fed up shopkeeper says he's had enough of sitting back while criminals help themselves to his stock - and has taken matters into his own hands to protect his business.
Andrew Board, 39, who runs the Core Convenience Store in Newton Hall, Durham, has become a local have-a-go hero - chasing down thieves, physically dragging them back into the shop, and banning dozens from ever stepping foot through the door again.
After six years of running the store, the married father-of-three had reached the end of his tether at being 'robbed blind' while courts dish out slap on the wrist punishments to shoplifters.
His struggles are indicative of a larger shoplifting crisis which has engulfed the nation in recent years, one which policing critics have claimed makes stealing now 'legal.'
In April this year, the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales passed half a million for the first time
This was up 20 per cent from 429,873 in 2023 making it the highest figure since current police records began 22 years ago in 2003
Speaking to the MailOnline, Andrew revealed he wasn't surprised as his business is on the front line.
He revealed: 'It's just got worse and worse because there's no deterrent. Crime pays at the moment.
'They might get a caution or a rehabilitation order, but there's very little to stop them just going out and doing it again.'
Andrew has chased suspects around the estate and recently dragged a man who swiped a crate of Fosters back into the shop.
Middle class shoplifters push up prices for honest customers as retail crime soars to £2.2bn a year
After his brave citizen's arrest, police arrested the thief - only to spare him prosecution and hand out a community resolution instead.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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Shoplifting across the country is costing an estimated £4.2billion (Pictured is a thief in action at another shop)
Reenact the bar scene from "A Bronx Tale"....
Andrew Board, 39, who runs the Core Convenience Store in Newton Hall, Durham, has become a local have-a-go hero
....................................or is he standing alone?
Was wondering the samev thing. I hope he gets some volunteers to help.
No witnesses, no cops, no crime.....
“”I would have a baseball bat by my side and show no mercy. Full swings to the sides of both knees and they’re down. Finish with the elbows, then drag their asses out the back door and dump them in the alley.
No witnesses, no cops, no crime.....””
Better than that, have a “Lucille bat” (Walking Dead, Negan weapon) at the ready. I guarantee the perps would not be visiting that store again.
Was wondering the samev thing. I hope he gets some volunteers to help.
It’s not like that in NYC where every other punk has a pistol, and is itching to use it. The thugs across the Pond are not likely to shoot, but they might have samurai swords.
He should hire a Ninja with an attitude, that will work!
That he has banned dozens of thieves from his store speaks to the failed state status of the UK.
There is at least one good man left in Britain.
Only thing surprising is that he hasn’t been arrested and put in jail for harassing shoplifters.
Yes and get prosecuted and convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. Defending your person and your property is illegal in most states, but apparently robbing someone of their livelihood is not.
My favorite line and scene of all time......LOL!
Nah, trap doors, slides right to the sailing dhow, shanghaied.
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True
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