Shoplifting is out of control on high streets, says business ownerpublished at 11:23 BST
11:23 BST
Louise Hobson
BBC North East & Cumbria
Shop owner Stephen Tate (pictured) explains the measures his business has taken to deal with shoplifting, which he calls an “epidemic”.
Some shelves at Addison Newsagents, on Church Road, in Stockton-on-Tees, have reduced stock supplies, a deliberate bid to stop items being stolen.
“This is what it’s come to: we’ve had to put a sign up, we sell multiple packs but we only put one out on show.”
Higher value items, such as tea and coffee, had been moved closer to the till and away from the door, he added.
Stephen and his partner Julie have run the business for 38 years and, at 64, he is now looking to retire.
Shoplifting is “out of control across the board on the high street”, he says.
However, he adds he feels very safe in the shop.
“We’ve been here 38 years and we’ve had no serious incidents,” he says. “Nobody’s threatened us with anything, just been a bit verbal.
“They push you about a bit and grab you by the collar, a bit of rough and tumble.”