Mobile phone shops lock doors while open after raid

Vodafone's shop doors in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth were locked, with customers only allowed in by staff

A mobile phone network has started locking its shop doors during opening hours following a robbery.

Vodafone told the BBC it has introduced a closed-door policy at its branch in Lowestoft, Suffolk, following a raid on 3 July, as well as at its shop in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Suffolk Police confirmed two teenagers, from Essex, were arrested in Harleston near Diss, shortly after the raid. A man and a woman, both 22, of London, were arrested on 4 July.

In a statement, Vodafone said: "We have implemented a variety of safety measures in some stores, including a locked door policy, to ensure they remain safe for customers and employees. This is a disappointing, but necessary step."

The Vodafone store in Lowestoft was raided in July by three men wearing balaclavas

Suffolk Police said: "On 3 July at 15:30 [BST] we were called to a report of three suspects wearing balaclavas going into Vodafone in London Road North and stealing a large quantity of mobiles from a back room.

"Four people have been charged with robbery. All four were remanded in custody by magistrates."

Vodafone said it was working with other telecoms providers, police services and the government to tackle robberies.

The statement added: "In recent months, the telecoms sector has seen an alarming surge in aggressive robberies and attempted robberies in stores, particularly across London and the Southeast of England.

"But other areas have also been affected, including Suffolk and Norfolk. VodafoneThree has seen a nine-times increase in these types of incidents across our Vodafone and Three stores.

"Violence of any kind against our employees and customers is completely unacceptable, and their safety is our number one priority."

Vodafone customer Jeevan Hewa Mainaththuge had to wait to be allowed into the mobile phone shop

Jeevan Hewa Mainaththuge, 34, from Lowestoft, had to wait to be let into the store, but said it was understandable the retailer was taking precautions.

"It's scary really," he said.

"I think it makes sense [to lock the door] because there are people working there, so they have to look after themselves. It's their safety and the company's safety."

Paula and her daughter Demi said it is a shame crime they associate with London has come to Lowestoft

Paula Patterson, 50, of Lowestoft, said: "For the safety of staff, it's got to be done, but it's devastating that [in] a small town like this, you have to."

Her daughter Demi Stroud, 30, said: "I didn't realise it was [happening] in Lowestoft, but I've seen it in London where people run into the store and yank the phones off [walls and displays]."

David and Debbie Holmes said the crime is further damage to Lowestoft's high street

Debbie Holmes and her husband David, of Oulton Broad, said it was a shame crimes like this were taking place and described Lowestoft town centre as "on its knees".

David, 70, added: "Do it [shopping] online, then you haven't got to lock any shop doors, have you?"

"They're looking for high-value items; electricals and things like that are a target," said Debbie, 59.

"It's just a sorry state of the high street today, which is a sad thing. It used to be a lovely place to visit, and now we rarely come into town because of how it is."

Tony McLeod said people were desperate

Tony McLeod, 49, of Lowestoft, said: "It's not nice to hear, but in this day and age, this is what people are being driven to. People are desperate.

"Most of the gold shops are the same. They won't let two people in the shop at the same time, so you have to wait outside until one customer has finished, then you can go in.

"I think it's terrible."