Shop owner uses bike locks on fridges to stop shoplifters

Paul Cheema says harsher penalties are also needed for thieves



A shop owner has taken to putting BIKE LOCKS on his fridges in a bid to stop shoplifters.

The desperate step has been taken by Paul Cheema after thieves started targeting the Malcolm’s Stores Nisa Local, in Tile Hill, up to five times a day.

He says a number of shops in the area are hit by shoplifters on a regular basis and there needs to be harsher penalties for those who are caught.

Mr Cheema also believes cutting off the demand from those who then buy from crooks is just as important in the ongoing fight.

The shop owner, who has been at the store in Tile Hill for around two-and-a-half years, told the Telegraph: “It’s been happening three, four or five times a day - it’s the same offenders and it’s just getting ridiculous.

“It has been working but it makes it uncomfortable for the 99.9 per cent of customers who are fine. Why should I have to lock my stock away because of just four or five individuals.

“We tried taking pictures of them but that didn’t deter them. We tried putting alarms on for every time they opened the doors, but that didn’t bother them either.

“My manageress got that annoyed that she went out at 6.30pm to try and find a DIY store and came back with two bike locks.”

It is thought that many of the thieves are stealing items to then sell on to others.

And Paul says that those who do buy from crooks are putting themselves at a real health risk - as well as at risk from the law.

“The bigger message to spread is around contamination of fresh produce,” he said.

“It has to be covered and kept at a certain temperature, and the people who are robbing us to them sell the produce to feed their habits...you don’t know what they have had in their pockets.

“If people knew the health risk of facilitating these shoplifters, then people might think twice about buying off them.

“There also need to be stronger penalties for shoplifters and also for those who are buying off them.

“I don’t blame the police. The Home Office should give them more facilities so they can help both big and small stores.”

He added: “It’s not just us though. The two stores by us are the same.

“We are trying to help each other and tell each other what is going on.

“There needs to be a scheme so that shops from all across the city can work together with police and local councillors to fight this.”

Shopkeepers want it both ways. They want the increased sales from self-service but then complain when that leads to more shoplifting.

Yep
It was on tv news last night I had to giggle when they showed a thick blue bike chain wrapped around the handles of the upright frige/freezer not sure which. One cut with a bolt cutters it would be open with a bit of distraction if thieves are desperate they will find a way where there s a will there is always a way.

Regularly when I'm out having a drink someone will come round selling food. - Obviously stolen, but nobody seems to bat an eye-lid.

No, I don't buy because I believe that in the end we all pay for these thefts.

No, I don't buy because I believe that in the end we all pay for these thefts.

Yep the shop s insurance goes up then the price of good s they sell and we pay the price to cover the insurance same with cars being stolen from any area s put s the insurance of cars up plus house insurance if houses get burgled .

I'm paying for all the thieving bastards using the self-service checkouts at Morrisons.

Yep and as the norm they place cameras directly over the tills as shops dont trust their staff as normally they are the biggest thieves.