A BASINGSTOKE shop owner has criticised the police for failing to act when his store is repeatedly targeted by thieves.
Mark Buttress, who owns Jaybee's Convenience store, in King’s Furlong Drive, caught two men on his CCTV cameras during an incident on May 2 when £25 worth of stock was stolen from the store.
The shop owner, whose family has run Jaybee's for more than 50 years, was away at the time of the incident but said he has sent the CCTV images to Hampshire Constabulary.
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However, he said in the past the police have not acted when he has reported crimes.
He told the Gazette: “It’s a never-ending battle at the moment. The staff are doing their best but people try and use distraction tactics. When it comes to catching them, the police don’t want to know. They say 'just email it to us', it’s not worth it to them. There’s no local bobby.”
On May 2, Mark said two men came into the shop, with one allegedly distracting the member of staff behind the till.
He said: “Distractions include acting loud and acting the clown or asking for something obscure. They use anything. Then to get the vapes he reached around behind the counter and took a box of six vapes and also stole a pre-payment sim.”
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He added: “It’s horrible, but staff get used to it. Sometimes they feel threatened. I always make sure there are always at least two members of staff on. There’s only so much you can do.
“When I posted it on social media someone commented to say we should employ a security guard, but who’s going to pay for that? We have CCTV and I keep sending images to the police but they say if they don’t have a name, they can’t do anything.”
Mark said he is grateful to his loyal customers but said thefts from his shop impact his independent business, explaining: “With thefts, I have to put up prices to cover the cost so everyone pays for it.”
The 49-year-old father-of-one added: “It’s a family-owned business and you are stealing out of my pocket and my child’s pocket and my wife’s pocket. I employ 12 people and we do a fair bit for charity for Naomi House Hospice and it’s a kick in the teeth when this happens.
“We have served this community for 50 years now, it’s been passed down through the generations. It’s a kick in the teeth.
“I understand why certain shopkeepers do take matters into their own hands because the police aren’t interested.”
Hampshire Constabulary said officers are investigating the incident on May 2 after receiving a report on May 10.
A spokesperson said: "It was reported that sometime between 4.45pm and 4.50pm on Tuesday, 2 May, two men entered Jaybee's Convenience Store at the Kings Furlong Centre and stole six vapes from behind the counter and a sim top up card.
"The total value of items stolen is believed to be £25. Enquiries are ongoing.
"Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that could assist our investigation is asked to contact us on 101 or via our website at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ quoting reference 44230183222."
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