“I’ve been bottled a number of times,” says convenience store owner Ben Salvaratnam. “I’ve had at least 20 stitches.”
The rise in thefts and violence has forced the London businessman to spend thousands on new security measures.
It comes as new data shows shop owners have reported a 400% increase in thefts during 2023, setting a new record.
It comes as new data shows shop owners have reported a 400% increase in thefts during 2023, setting a new record.
That is up from 1.1 million the year previously. Violence is also up – with 76,000 incidents reported, compared to 41,000 in the 12-months prior, the ASC said.
Freshfields Market in Croydon has been owned by Mr Salvaratnam for eight years. It sells fresh produce, meat and alcohol but loses “hundreds of pounds a week” to shoplifting.
Mr Salvaratnam used to have 12 CCTV cameras in the Church Street store, but because of the jump in shoplifting he spent £3,000 last year to “capture blind spots” and now has 40 of them.
The 40-year-old also laid out on other security measures – spending £5,000 on a new steel and glass cage around the till area “because the cashiers kept getting jumped on and spat at”.
He also installed a smoke-activated panic system similar to those used in jewellers and banks “to protect my staff”.
“I’ve been bottled a number of times,” says convenience store owner Ben Salvaratnam. “I’ve had at least 20 stitches.”
It comes as new data shows shop owners have reported a 400% increase in thefts during 2023, setting a new record.
The rise in thefts and violence has forced the London businessman to spend thousands on new security measures.
That is up from 1.1 million the year previously. Violence is also up – with 76,000 incidents reported, compared to 41,000 in the 12-months prior, the ASC said.
It comes as new data shows shop owners have reported a 400% increase in thefts during 2023, setting a new record.
It comes as new data shows shop owners have reported a 400% increase in thefts during 2023, setting a new record.
That is up from 1.1 million the year previously. Violence is also up – with 76,000 incidents reported, compared to 41,000 in the 12-months prior, the ASC said.
Freshfields Market in Croydon has been owned by Mr Salvaratnam for eight years. It sells fresh produce, meat and alcohol but loses “hundreds of pounds a week” to shoplifting.
Mr Salvaratnam used to have 12 CCTV cameras in the Church Street store, but because of the jump in shoplifting he spent £3,000 last year to “capture blind spots” and now has 40 of them.
The 40-year-old also laid out on other security measures – spending £5,000 on a new steel and glass cage around the till area “because the cashiers kept getting jumped on and spat at”.
He also installed a smoke-activated panic system similar to those used in jewellers and banks “to protect my staff”.
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