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The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Shopkeeper hit with spate of thefts forced to TACKLE shoplifters himself as courts ‘just let them off the hook'
A SHOPKEEPER fed up with a spate of thefts has been forced to tackle shoplifters himself, saying the courts 'just let them off the hook'. Andrew Board, 39, who runs a convenience store in Durham, Co Durham, has become a local have-a-go hero - chasing down thieves, physically dragging them back into the shop, and banning dozens from stepping foot through the door again. 5 5 5 After six years of running his Premier store, the retailer had reached the end of his tether at being robbed blind while courts dish out slap on the wrist punishments to shoplifters. He said: "It's just got worse and worse because there's no deterrent. Crime pays at the moment. "The police have bent it over backwards to try and get all these criminals put before the courts, and they're as frustrated as we are, that they're basically just letting them off the hook. "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. After his brave citizen's arrest, police arrested the thief - only to spare him prosecution and hand out a community resolution instead. Andrew said: "The outcome was that he would just pay for the beer and it would be forgotten about. Despite him being on an electronic tag at the time. "How is that justice? What kind of message does that send if the worst-case scenario is they just have to give the stuff back?" CCTV footage shows thieves being caught in the act - including a woman sliding tubs of Lurpak inside her coat and another nicking a bottle of wine. Other clips show Andrew and his staff grappling with shoplifters and hauling them back into the shop to await arrest. Moment Co-op worker grabs fleeing shoplifter by the THROAT to stop him making off with arms full of stolen items Shoplifting at the store has become so rampant that some products have been pulled entirely. Lurpak, Nescafe, tubs of fabric softener and even Spam have been removed after being targeted by drug addicts keen to pay off their debts. Andrew said: "We had one prolific thief who was in constantly, shoving Lurpak down her coat. "She wears a lined coat, like a pro. She's been in court over and over again, but not once has been gone to prison." The store's banned list has grown to over 40 names. Andrew knows many having grown up and lived in the area all his life. He has chased thieves around the estate, through back lanes and over fences. Andrew said: "There's no stereotypical shoplifter, I've had eight-year-olds stealing. Middle-aged people stealing to pay drug debts. Pensioners in their eighties stuffing things down their coat. "There's no set sort of character of what makes a shoplifter now." Andrew credits the police for trying but says officers are shackled by rules and red tape. He is in a WhatsApp group with other retailers who track offenders and warn each other when someone's on the move. But police officers are not allowed to use WhatsApp. So while the group moves in real time, officers can be left catching up. Andrew told how the scourge of shoplifting had taken a toll on his staff, none of whom signed up to facing down criminals. Andrew said: "I've got some tools of the trade on me. I don't give them a chance to react. I work on shock tactics. "I do have some restraint where it's needed. I would only retaliate if someone was volatile with me. I'm forceful in the immediate stage, but then if someone was going to pull a scrap with me, then I would hold my own. "I tell the staff to challenge but only if they feel safe. 'Often they'll ring me because I only live nearby. "My wife knows that I can handle myself and I do have a sensible head on my shoulders. But she's always going to worry in case anything does happen." Nationally, half a million shoplifting offences in England and Wales were recorded by police last year, up 20 per cent from 2023. Andrew says shoplifting is having a major impact on small business struggling with ever-shrinking profit margins. He said: "These people are stealing out of my pocket because this is my business and I won't have it anymore. "Small businesses now, they're closing left, right and centre, because all the extra expenses we're now subject to, all the extra regulations we're now being bound by that we've got to fork out our own pockets for. "Wages and overheads are all going up. National insurance payments have gone up. "So we're being hammered left, right and centre. And now all these thieves are just coming in like it's a free-for-all. "People think acquisitive crime is harmless but if I go under, then the post office in the shop goes too. The community loses out and that's not fair. "Shoplifting will not go down until something in the legal system changes." In a Facebook post in April, the store warned: "We aren't one of those large corporate stores making millions and can absorb losses due to theft. We're a small, local, family run business that does its best to cater for the community. "All thefts are a theft direct from our pocket and jeopardise our ability to trade and serve our community. Because of this, we absolutely WILL protect and defend ourselves against thieves and anyone caught will be dealt with accordingly." A Durham Police spokeswoman said: 'Shoplifting is a significant issue nationwide, and County Durham and Darlington is no different. 'We take this type of offending extremely seriously and work hard to tackle the issue across our force area. 'A large proportion of shoplifting offences are opportunistic and committed by people with drug or alcohol addictions. 'That's why, as a force, we must look at the bigger picture and find out why individuals offend in the first place and seek to address the underlying reasons for their offending." 5 5
The National
09-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Labour should look to Scotland for reforms their MPs might support
The Labour Westminster government is in a tizzy. Not enough money today; fiscal rules blocking more money tomorrow; a socialist party in power acting unlike a social reform party, abandoning all reforms because they cannot carry the vast majority of their MPs with them. What's the answer? Eh, Scotland – its tax structure; its social benefits programme; its growth agenda for the country. READ MORE: Forecaster sets out bleak picture for economy under Labour's watch Westminster, were it to follow Scotland's lead and adopt a similar tax and social benefits programme, would provide improved social benefits and would have billions and billions of additional income to spend on growing the economy. Will they do that? Of course not! Not invented here. Westminster knows best. Oh, and those fiscal rules! Our debt is on short-term rates, effectively allowing the bond markets to determine what government action is or is not acceptable. It's time to, eh, 'take back control'. Labour are looking lost for ideas that their MPs will support. Look to Scotland's example! Gerry Tollan via email IN last Friday's National, in the article on 'Starmer's year of broken promises…', you told us that the Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, has stated that 'millions of Scots are now better off than they were when Labour came to power.' I knew that was incorrect but I didn't comment on it because I could not tie down a specific instance to demonstrate the inaccuracy of his statement. However, on Wednesday morning, in my local Premier Store, I saw the perfect example of how he is using nothing more than Labour propaganda to hide the truth from us. I fancied something sweet so I went and had a look in the section where the chocolate wafers and shortbreads are displayed. There on the shelf I saw some 'chocolate crispies'. The packs at the front had the sell-by date of August 5, but those in the back row had the sell-by date of August 22. Those for sale by August 5 are priced at £1.95, whereas those with the August 22 sell-by date are priced at £2.09. READ MORE: Ed Miliband ditches plan for cheaper energy in Scotland, reports say That represents a price rise £0.14, which is slightly more than 7%. It also happens to be fairly representative of the general price rises in all the shops that have happened since Labour brought in the increase in employers' contributions towards their employees' National Insurance. In some instances the price rises are even higher, at around 10 or 12%. Now, my pension increased by 3.9% this year. So, how can I and millions of other pensioners be better off than I was before this additional tax, imposed on all employers and passed on by them to us, was introduced by Labour? It seems to me that Ian Murray's arithmetic is as dodgy as his politics! Charlie Kerr Glenrothes WITH all the recent furore regarding cuts to benefits as opposed to tax rises, the general public will be unaware of the biggest gift to the rich of all time by Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher, who cut the top tax rate from 83 pence to 60 pence in the pound in one full swoop. Subsequently she cut it again to 40 pence in the pound, only raised latterly by a Labour government to 50 pence in the pound. Anybody who thinks we might see these rates again are living in cloud cuckoo land, as MPs are all in the top tax bracket and turkeys don't vote for Christmas. It's no wonder the gap between the rich and poor is getting bigger when this government will not even contemplate equalising tax on earned income and tax on unearned income. Allan Jaap via email I FOUND Mike Wallace's Long Letter (Jul 7) interesting and well-constructed but, like many letters from independence supporters, it contains a false assumption, one which is significantly misleading and does not help us to develop a strategy that will allow us to use the sovereignty of the Scottish people effectively. The assumption that the so-called UK Supreme Court has ruled that the Scottish people can't have a referendum on independence is not correct, although it is frequently asserted by people who should know better. The UKSC has ruled that the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to institute a referendum on that subject because it can only act within its allotted powers under the Scotland Act, and constitutional matters are reserved to Westminster. This says nothing about the powers of the Scottish people, who in fact hold sovereign power in Scotland. READ MORE: Scottish Tory claims SNP 'cutting funding from Unionist areas' Calum Duncan's letter in the same issue effectively destroys that false assumption when he points out that the UKSC was focused on the powers of the devolved parliament as set out in the Scotland Act, and as Calum puts it, 'Scotland's jurisdiction outside the ambit of the Scotland Act was not touched on'. So the Scottish people's rights, and their sovereign authority, are not and cannot be affected by any UKSC judgment. Now the question that now needs to be considered is: can the sovereign Scottish people be given a legal voice, so that they can exert their sovereignty? Well yes, they can, and the Scottish Parliament can help them to achieve this. The Scottish people are entitled to the full range of UN human rights as set out in the UN Covenants on Human Rights, and we currently have a petition before the Scottish Parliament, Petition Number PE2135, which would put some of these rights into Scots law and therefore give the sovereign Scottish people a legal voice. This can be done by the present Scottish Parliament and is not subject to 'reserved powers' so the UK Government and the UKSC have no power to stop this. This is the clearest and most direct way to self-government, it just needs the present indy majority in parliament to support it and put it into Scots law. You can help by going online and voting for this petition. Andy Anderson Ardrossan
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Shoppers race to get their hands on new Milkybar chocolate available at corner shop chain
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A brand-new Milkybar flavour is set to land in stores for the first time. The Milkybar chocolate crumble will come with a milk chocolate base and creamy biscuit centre. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Chocolate fans are excited to try the new sweet creation The new sharer bar will be available at Premier stores. Shoppers took to social media to share their excitement at the launch. In a post on social media app Instagram one shopper said: 'Ooh this sounds so good.' Another user agreed, adding: 'I'll be buying 5.' While a third said: 'The angels above listened, well helloooo.' It is not yet known how much the tasty treat will cost or when it will arrive on supermarket shelves. You can find your nearest Premier Store by visiting A Nestle spokesperson said: "This year, Nestlé is set to introduce a range of exciting confectionery products. Keep an eye on this space for delightful surprises in store." The news comes just months after shoppers raced to get their hands on another Milkybar flavour after it hit supermarket shelves. Eagle-eyed shoppers spotted the Milkybar Biscoff bars at B&M stores in January. The treat combines Lotus biscuits and white Milkybar in one chocolate. The bar was first found in Australia but could be picked up in B&M stores nationwide for just £1. Shoppers also went crazy for another new Milkybar combination in January. The Aero Milkybar combines bubbly Aero and white Milky Bar in one - for just £2.99. Why are products axed or recipes changed? ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders. Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether. They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers. There are several reasons why this could be done. For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes. Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs. They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable. For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018. It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version. Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year. Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks. While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose. The chocolate was also typically found in Australia but is now widely available in the UK. Other new chocolate bars The Milkybar chocolate crumble is not the only new chocolate bar to hit supermarket shelves. Earlier this month savvy shoppers spotted Cadbury Dream bars back on shelves for the first time since 2002. The bars are made from white chocolate and cocoa butter and were launched in the UK in 2001. Last month Cadbury launched a new limited edition Twirl bar. The tasty snack is made with Cadbury's popular Twirl, which is dipped in white chocolate. Cadbury described the treat as 'unreal, indulgent, smooth, swirly, creamy, melty, new, and mouthwatering". The bars hit shelves on June 2 but are only set to be available for a limited time. Plus earlier this year shoppers raced to get their hands on Cadbury Dairy Milk Balls, which are similar to the discontinued Cadbury Tasters. Tasters first appeared in stores in 1996 as small, round Dairy Milk chocolates and were similar to a Malteaser but without the crunchy centre. Despite being popular they were quietly axed in the mid-2000s due to slow sales. The chocolates are not listed on Iceland's website and are currently only available in store. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Daily Record
27-04-2025
- Daily Record
Easter Egg thief breaks into car parked at Scots home and nicks chocolate treat
A "bizarre" burglar was caught on camera breaking into a car - and stealing an Easter Egg. A shocked Edinburgh homeowner spotted the chocolate thief entering the driveway of their Corstorphine house on Wednesday, April 23. The video clip shows the man opening the door of a Mini parked in the drive. Over the next 30 seconds, the unknown man can be seen stealing and unwrapping a Mini Egg easter egg, reports Edinburgh Live .He then appears to stuff the chocolate egg into his pocket before throwing the discarded rubbish back into the vehicle . The baffled homeowner, who was left puzzled by the footage, said a £400 paddle board lay across the backseat next to the egg. "It was really bizarre ," they said. "He broke into my car and took a chocolate Easter egg and unwrapped it all. "He then pocketed the chocolate and put all the rubbish back into my car . There was a £400 paddleboard on the back seat that he ignored. "It felt equally violating and bizarre. It is confusing behaviour." Police Scotland have been approached for comment. Earlier this month, in an unrelated incident, we reported that a heartless thief stole 18 Easter Eggs that were due to be donated to pupils at an additional support needs school in Girvan. It is understood that the crook may have even impersonated a member of staff before making off with the eggs from the Premier Store in Girvan's Glendoune Street. The eggs were due to be collected as the school pupils gear up for their popular Easter Egg hunt, but the group were left empty handed. Support worker at Aberlour , Michelle Edens, said: 'We do the holiday play-scheme for Aberlour Children's Charity and we support the additional support needs kids at Invergarven, so it's all very much joined up. 'We don't have a very big budget, but the brilliant people at the Premier Store donated the eggs and they left them aside for each child we support. Eighteen eggs they left aside and now they're gone . 'I went to collect them and a member of staff couldn't find them. Then we were told someone from the school collected them last week. 'One of the girls told this individual 'it's Michelle that collects them' and was told 'I can pick them up for her while I'm here.' 'I am so cross. This is kids with Additional Support Needs, it's a big thing for them. The girls at the Premier Store can't remember what day someone made away with them but she does have CCTV footage. 'We have a very small budget, only a couple of pounds each and this Easter egg hunt was designed to give the parents some respite and the children a fun day. 'Whoever took the Easter eggs, I hope it makes them sick .'
BBC News
01-04-2025
- BBC News
Middlesbrough shop ram-raids may be linked, police say
An investigation has been launched into a series of ram-raids which police believe may be Police said three incidents that happened on Saturday in Middlesbrough may be connected to two similar ones in Acklam Road in the previous force said the latest started at JD Sports at Cleveland Retail Park at about 22:00 GMT, when three people ran into the shop and grabbed a "large amount" of goods.A shop worker who tried to stop them was assaulted, police said. That evening, at about 22:40, the Premier Store on Ayresome Road was ram-rammed by a silver Audi. Nothing was taken but both the shop and stock were damaged.A spokesman for the force said "moments later" someone attempted to drive a silver Audi into the Anglers Choice store on Cumberland force is asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
