Bad People, Bad Karma.

I've had thefts from the shop this week.

It really upsets me that there's some really awful people out there. It's not just a few hair bows either - two sweatshirts, retailing at over £30 each. It makes me sick. That's hard earned money from a small business. Not a massive global corporation that has a budget for loss, theft or damage.

They people responsible either don't realise or don't care. The sweatshirts stolen have only been produced in limited numbers - only 2 of each were ever made. I know the people I sold the other ones to, so if they wear them in Manchester and I see them I'll know. If they try to return or exchange them they will be arrested and prosecuted for theft.

One of the annoying thing about our shop in Afflecks is that it is an awkward shape and open on all sides - making it very difficult to "police". We have no less that 5 security cameras monitoring and filming as well as mirrors reflecting every area of the shop. But unless you catch them or see them again, having gained evidence of their theft there's nothing you can do.

In this country the laws against shoplifting don't work in favour of the shop owner. In Australia, where we first began trading, if you enter a shopping mall or any retail store you enter into an agreement that you may be stopped and subjected to random bag searches. It is routine in many high street stores, particularly ones frequented by teenagers. As it is so commonplace, it is a real deterrent and easy to implement. As most stores operate a random stop and search policy, no real offence is caused. I was regularly 'bag searched' and thought nothing of it - anyone that objects often has something to hide. I get frequently frustrated by the lack of similar laws in the UK. It is actually an offence to do a similar thing in the UK without 'good cause' however if you catch someone in the act it's a different story.

I catch shoplifters on a regular basis. It's not always the people you expect. The well-to-do middle aged man, the fashion savvy girl in the £200 shoes, the friendly chatty teenager from a good school. Then again, you know always know the people to be wary of and I hate having to use social stereotypes on a daily basis to protect my business. The group of boisterous boys and chavvy looking girls will always get closer scrutiny. The professional thieves know this though and try to fool you...it makes me laugh more - just because they've got a nice Selfidges bag or a smart outfit doesn't mean you don't see their shifty eyes or furtive hands.

The most dangerous is the opportunist, striking whilst you are occupied with another customer. Ocassionally they'll work in pairs, sending someone to distract you whilst they grab and go. This is the one thing it's difficult to avoid but they'll get caught eventually. They can't avoid every security camera or security guard! My way of dealing with it is to wish upon them something really nasty. Perhaps they'll get run over, a really painful disease, something of their own stolen. Karma will get them in the end.