'Shoplifters make me scared to come to work'

Vivienne McCormick says she has been threatened by shoplifters while working

A woman working at a charity store says she is "terrified" of coming into work amid an increase in shoplifting.

Vivienne McCormick, a 25-year-old sales assistant at the British Heart Foundation in Nottingham, said she once had a thief swearing and threatening her.

Other shopkeepers across Nottinghamshire say they are frustrated, as figures show incidents of shoplifting across the county have almost doubled in the past eight years.

Nottinghamshire Police said a number of measures had been implemented to tackle the problem, including banning offenders from certain areas.

More than 430,000 shoplifiting incidents were recorded in England and Wales last year, the highest level since records began in 2003.

The Home Office said it was introducing a new offence for assaults against retail workers, with a statement adding it was "going to bring back neighbourhood policing" and hire additional officers.

Ms McCormick, who works in Nottingham city centre, told the BBC she had experienced first-hand abuse from shoplifters.

“I’ve had my life threatened," she said. "I’ve had someone get in my face and swear and threaten me.

“I have moments were I’m terrified to come into work because of it and I love my job. No-one gets paid enough for abuse from shoplifters.”

Rachel Miller, 48, is the director of Mesopotamia in Basford, a charity that provides relief to refugees around the world and helps the homeless in Nottingham.

She said shoplifting was on a scale she had never seen before.

“Rather than one or two things people are filling bags, shopping trolleys,” she said.

“We recently had a family come and they stole a pushchair.

"We had it for sale for £40 and that money would’ve gone to the foodbank that could’ve fed a family for a week.”

“It’s very, very frustrating for us. We don’t see a consequence for it - they’re brazen and we’re seeing it more so.”

John Conlon said he fears charity shops are being targeted

John Conlon, 67, manages Oxfam Books and Music in Carter Gate in Mansfield.

He said charity shops seemed to be being targeted by thieves.

“We had our charity box stolen, the YMCA had their charity box stolen as well because that’s the only money in the shop,” he said.

“It’s really upsetting - the volunteers are really upset and most people in the town are really upset.

"The idea that charity shops are being targeted is really upsetting.”

Kelly Gibson said her shop was targeted every day

Kelly Gibson, a cover manager at Lighthouse charity shop in Mansfield, says shoplifters are coming in to steal every day.

The 45-year-old said the level of theft "makes me feel angry", and called for more support.

“We frequently find a dozen coat hangers empty and that’s every day,” she said.

“I just think more needs to be done.

"The police don’t respond unless it’s over a certain amount.”

The Home Office said it was looking to crack down on shoplifting

Nottinghamshire Police said its measures in place to prevent shoplifting included Shop Watch schemes, banning offenders from certain areas and compelling them to get help for drug and alcohol misuse.

Supt Chris Pearson said: “Most of the shop thefts we deal with are committed by one of two groups: people on the fringes of society who are often stealing to fund addictions, and organised groups stealing for profit.

“We are working continuously with local businesses and other partners to increase resilience and offer advice, and regularly hold proactive days of action where we engage with businesses."

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.