The owner of a family-run pet retail business has called for stiffer prosecutions and better police response to the growing problem of shoplifting.

Ali Pettitt, who runs three pet shops in Norfolk with husband Adrian, believes that without more support, the efforts of small and independent retailers to reduce crime seem futile.

Ali was prompted to post CCTV images of a suspect on social media after the theft of boxes of pet treats from outside the Pettitt and Boo shop in Catton, Norwich. A man has potentially been identified from the picture, but no arrest has been made.

Front of Pettitt and Boo's Catton store, off Fifers Lane in Norwich.

“We were expecting the delivery of pet treats during daytime in early December, especially as we were in the phase of build-up for Christmas,” explained Ali. “The following morning, our team were surprised to find the delivery at the back door and the carton damaged. Several boxes had been taken out.

Rear of the shop showing the shared delivery area with the neighbouring Co-op store.

“The delivery driver had left them at the back door after the store had closed, instead of taking them back to the depot. At about 4am the next day, a guy is seen on the CCTV from the Co-op store next door. He’s seen taking as many boxes as he can physically hold and carrying them across the car park.

“The theft seriously impacted our stock for the December month, with many of our regular customers disappointed that their dog’s favourite treats were not available.”

Battling against theft is becoming a huge problem for independent retailers like Ali and husband Adrian.

Ali, who posted a CCTV image (right) of the suspect on the store's Facebook page, added: “Shoplifting seems to be on-the-rise but via a wider profile of individuals. For example, we find repeated cases of customers using their own insulated bags at the freezers when selecting raw foods. They then take the full bag to the till and tell staff there are ‘x-amount’ of packs, in the hope that the bag won’t be checked. When we do check though, on as many as one in five cases, we find the quantity stated is inaccurate. Given that the number in the bag is always one or two more than the amount stated, rather than one or two less, it feels like it is less likely to be a case of miscounting, which would give examples of both greater and lesser quantities on spot-checks.

“We also notice it with the pick & mix treat counters. Customers will say there is an amount of x treats in a bag, but more and more frequently we find there are an extra one or two.

“Whilst not ‘traditional’ shoplifting, these are methods that a variety of people will employ to get something that they haven’t actually paid for.”

Incidents of regular shoplifting are on the rise too – from flea and worming treatments to toys. 

“The frustrating thing is that shoplifters know the likelihood of prosecution is very, very low,” said Ali. “Last year we had a ‘customer’ who picked up a ball thrower and walked straight out of the shop – no concealing efforts applied at all. When staff confronted her outside, she gave it back with a shrug of the shoulders.

“We are doing what we can to reduce the likelihood of being a target for shoplifters. One of the most effective methods of prevention is just to speak to every customer upon entry. Often framed as great customer service (which it is), speaking to people as they come into the store means they are aware that the staff have observed them.

“What we really need as a strong deterrent is robust prosecutions and police response. Without that support, our efforts to reduce crime seem futile.”

For more information about Ali and Adrian’s pet stores visit https://www.pettittandboo.co.uk