Shoplifter does striptease to get released from Leicester store
A shoplifter began stripping off her clothes and warned she would take everything off unless she was released.
The shop manager, who is understood to have been alone with the woman, let her go fearing he was in a compromising position.
The incident, in a Leicester convenience store last week, appears to be the latest example of female thieves attempting to frame male staff for sexual assault.
CCTV stills of the woman and her three accomplices have now been circulated to hundreds of shops in an attempt to identify her.
It is believed the two women and two men were travelling East European thieves.
Citywatch, the Neighbourhood Watch equivalent for businesses in Leicester, has previously warned that some female thieves will touch themselves intimately before trying to leave DNA traces on store detectives.
Citywatch's intelligence officer Graham Collins said: "This problem started some time ago."
Citywatch has advised male security guards to ensure they are never alone with female suspects, Mr Collins said.
It has circulated the CCTV images of the four to its 200-plus members to warn them. Police have also been given copies of the images.
A city centre business owner said: "A lot of shoplifters will kick off when we detain them but trying to get someone charged with some kind of indecent assault is the lowest of the low.
"Lives can be ruined by allegations of indecent assault, even if it's completely untrue and malicious."
Dermot Breen, of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and a former retailer himself, commented: "Times are hard enough for retailers at the moment, so it's very sad when they are subjected to harassment like this.
"Male staff in particular have to be very careful when dealing with female shoplifters because of tricks like this.
"The best thing to do is for them to ensure they are never alone with these people."
7 Comments
by Silver Fox, Ex Leicester
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 1:55PM
“Re Terry;'s comments about handcuffs. I suggest that this may lead to a charge of unfair detention or an infringement of Human Rights. There have been cases where this has been tried when the person was kept in just a closed room. Not right but maybe another example of where criminals rights are more important than those of the victim. And before the comment is made about wrongful arrest being a good reason not to hold someone, I know that detaining someone may be harsh but how else can you deal with a suspected criminal without allowing them to walk?”
by Julie Hunt, Leicester
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 1:10PM
“Why can't the security people have on e of those small portable cctv cams like some of the police force have. That way, not only will it absolve the security guard - but also will provide some fun footage to have on one of those tv blooper, police action scenes for us all to have a good laugh at.”
by Terry, Coalville
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 12:16PM
“I suggest that security guards and management carry handcuffs and have convenient rings or rails to which the shoplifter may be secured.
The staff can then keep well away from the shoplifter whilst the police are called and she can be prosecuted for further offences if she tries it on.
The handcuffs would also be valuable for violent thieves or troublemakers and would leave the staff free to apprehend others. (The report says there were three more in this case).”
by John Ryde, Newbold Verdon
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 11:28AM
“Going back 50 years when i worked at Woolworths.. you would never stop a woman shoplifter unless you had a female member of staff with you.
It's just plain common sense.”
by Andrew Myers, Leicester
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 11:11AM
“They should be held in areas under CCTV coverage at all times and if they make a false allegation sent to prison for a minimum of 10 years.
But you can be sure that won't happen under our pro-criminal Labour government.
Thay have rights you know?”
by Geoff, Leicester
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 11:06AM
“This is a wind up right? So male staff are not allowed to detain a female thief for fear of being prosecuted for molestation? The country has finally gone completely crackers. Beam me up Scotty!!!”
by Iain Campbell, Stoney Stanton
Tuesday, September 01 2009, 10:28AM
“This is what you will get when you let all the dross of so called Europe in.
Surely if there are pictures of her the Police could prosecute her for Indecency.
Just go to the local Post Office and she will be there collecting her benefits !
I bet she was an ugly one as well.”