2 weeks Ago
A group of schoolchildren from Hove have been praised for their bravery after they chased down and caught a thief fleeing from a Hove Co-op store. At around 3.30pm on Monday 17 March, a Co-op branch in Old Shoreham Road was targeted by a shoplifter who allegedly took off with multiple boxes of dishwasher tablets.
Before anyone had the chance to alert the police, a group of schoolchildren from Blatchington Mill School reportedly ran after the thief. They chased him down and managed to retrieve the stolen goods. A local shopper who arrived just after the thief was caught, Karen Turner, said: “It could have been dangerous for them [the children] to chase after the thief so I was obviously concerned, but apparently there was no stopping them.
"They were only young, maybe around 12. “Thankfully they were unharmed - they were very brave though, I was really impressed. “Young people get such a bad reputation and it is a shame.
"Their parents and their school should be proud." In a statement, Southern Co-op said: “Retail crime and the resulting impact on our stores, colleagues and customers is a societal issue that impacts not only us, but all retailers. “We understand the frustration that theft causes, and we appreciate the vigilance and concern of our customers who care about their shopping environment.
“However, while we remain committed to working with law enforcement and taking appropriate security measures to prevent theft, we don’t condone or encourage customers or colleagues to chase or confront individuals suspected of shoplifting. “Safety is, and always will be, our top priority, and we urge everyone to report suspicious activity to store colleagues or the police rather than take matters into their own hands. “We will continue to implement measures to deter crime while prioritising the wellbeing of everyone who shops and works with us.
" Sussex Police has been approached for comment..
