Greggs Fights Back Against Shoplifters

0:00On April 25th, Greg's is pulling the plug on those front-of-store fridges stocked with drinks and snacks to fight back against shoplifters. In a pilot program, several UK stores like the one in West Corden, South London, have ripped them out and moved everything behind a secure counter. Customers now have to ask staff for items, leaving just sugar, napkins, and stirrers out in the open. This change is rolling out to spots in Croydon, Peckham, Whitechapel, Upton Park, Birmingham, and Wilford in Nottinghamshire. If it cuts down on theft and protects workers and shoppers from violence, Greg's plans to spread it to all 2007-35. Branches nationwide. Staff say it's making their job safer after dealing with hot tea, thrown in faces, and attacks with belts. One worker in Peckham even called it a relief since they hand out products directly. Customers get it too, saying the chain has had enough of the theft wave hitting high streets. Shoplifting reports in England and Wales jumped 133% in five years from 228,020.

1:0520 slash 21 to 530,000 in 2024 slash 25. But charges only hit about 20% of cases, leaving retail folks exposed. A repeat offender in Greenford hit one store 38 times, racking up nearly $2,000 in stolen goods before getting a suspended. Four months sentence. With body cams now in busy spots in guard stepping up, Greg's is locking it down amid this crime surge, shaking up communities.