Norwich businesses slam police for lack of theft support

According to recent Home Office figures, police forces saw a 30pc cut in numbers from 2010-2022, with 6,252 fewer frontline staff in that time.

The cuts are trickling down to independent businesses, causing financial losses which could be the difference between staying afloat and shutting down.

Helen Shepherd (pictured right), owner of Sinsins Boutique of Love in St Benedicts Street, said she’s had enough trying to find the thief (Image: Helen Shepherd)

Helen Shepherd, owner of Sinsins Boutique of Love in St Benedicts Street, captured two separate instances of someone stealing items – totalling £260 – on CCTV in July.

However, the 53-year-old is getting frustrated as police haven’t collected the footage after the incident was reported.

Helen said: “It’s all bureaucracy and no action.

Helen (pictured right) pointing to the CCTV camera after confronting the person who stole items from her shop in July (Image: Helen Shepherd)

“I’ve had to wait weeks for the investigative team to look into it, by which time I’ve had more items stolen from the shop and the person committing these crimes has had no come back.

“Even having CCTV footage of the person’s face and providing information on their whereabouts, they refuse to take the quick win.

“Honestly, I’m done with it – there’s no point wasting any more energy on it.”

Police have confirmed that the incidents continue to “remain a live investigation and inquiries are continuing”.

Mark Daniels has owned Cash Converters nearby for 25 years and was subject to an attempted break-in at the store a year ago.

He added: “Whether it’s the cuts or the priorities changing, the police don’t seem bothered if something worth £20 to £30 gets stolen.

Cash Converters in St Benedicts Street was subject to an attempted break in, back on August 23, 2022 (Image: Archant, Simon Finlay)

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“But for smaller businesses that adds up.

“I know the frustration Helen is going through – I heard nothing about my case and no one was caught.

“Things have certainly got worse year-on-year since I was here.”

Martin Kay, who has worked at Last Level Games, also in St Benedicts Street, for six years, said: “If something for a couple of quid gets stolen there’s really no point in reporting it.

Martin Kay has worked at Last Level Games in St Benedicts for six years and said there’s no point reporting petty crime to the police (Image: Newsquest)

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“You ring the police and they say they’ll sort it, but it’ll be months.

“It gets to the point that it’s not worth chasing and you just take the loss.

“Unfortunately there are fewer police around because of the cutbacks, so seeing a police officer down St Benedicts is a rare sight.”

Last Level Games, in St Benedicts Street (Image: Archant, Neil Perry)