South-Norwood store targeted by shoplifters (From Croydon Guardian)

South-Norwood store targeted by shoplifters

3:30pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News

A South Norwood supermarket is being targeted by shoplifters who are then selling on the produce to make cash.

The Co-Op, in Station Road, has been raided on a regular basis over the last few months, according to business owners who work nearby.

Thieves have been stealing from the store then trying to sell it on to residents in the area for inflated prices.

Nigel Fearon, 36, who runs Eye Candy Hair and Beauty Salon opposite the Co-Op, said it was becoming a daily occurrence.

He said the shop must be losing money due to the number of thefts from the store.

Mr Fearon said: "It is happening on a daily basis. They go in there, nick something, then run towards the tunnel so they can get away.

"One person I saw recently had two baskets full of food and he just ran away. A couple of times I have seen the police chase them but not very often. They don’t often get caught.

"People come in all the time and try and sell me stuff. You see them with the meat from the shop, then walk over and try to sell it to us."

Ross Watson, Co-operative Food’s operations manager for the area said: "Incidents of shoplifting and retail crime are taken most seriously, not just at our South Norwood store, but across all Co-operative Food outlets."

South Norwood councillor, Wayne Lawlor said there needed to be more visible policing to counteract the problem.