![We're seeing more well-off shoplifters' We're seeing more well-off shoplifters'](https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1738028181/articles/nx17I6bktMlfDpX6u3sys/WERE-SEEING-MORE-WELLOFF-SHOPLIFTERS.jpg)
FED-UP business owners in a market town have launched a vigilante WhatsApp group after a rise in "well-off middle-aged" shoplifters.
Traders in Haslemere, Surrey, say the crime has got so bad in recent months that messages are sent in the group "every single day".
Shop owners let each other know if they have been stolen from and share CCTV footage of known criminals. They say the problem has been exacerbated by a "lack of police presence" in the town.
One business owner claimed the shoplifters she sees the most often are "well-off middle-aged women".
Inge Dunbar, 55, who owns gift shop Sass and Spirit, said: "When it started happening, I knew I had to get CCTV. And I had to hire another staff member so there are two of us covering the shop.
"From me, people steal clothes and jewellery mainly and [collectible soft toy] Jellycats.
"If someone's stealing bread you of course feel sympathy because they're struggling.
"But when they're stealing in a shop like this? That's not to do with the cost-of-living crisis.
"What we get most often is actually well-off middle-aged women."
Ms Dunbar said all business owners in Haslemere are aware of particular shoplifters but there is still a lack of action from police.
Denne historien er fra January 28, 2025-utgaven av Daily Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 28, 2025-utgaven av Daily Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
MI5 misled court over spy's machete attack on woman
SPY chiefs yesterday apologised for giving \"incorrect information\" to the High Court.
![Christian sacked from school wins LGBT legal battle Christian sacked from school wins LGBT legal battle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21044/1993110/jxbYrvKDQ1739422702394/CHRISTIAN-SACKED-FROM-SCHOOL-WINS-LGBT-LEGAL-BATTLE.jpg)
Christian sacked from school wins LGBT legal battle
A CHRISTIAN school worker who was fired after sharing Facebook posts objecting to LGBT+ relationship education yesterday won a Court of Appeal battle.
![Starmer pledges to build new town in every region Starmer pledges to build new town in every region](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21044/1993110/XBSzZU8oN1739422219158/STARMER-PLEDGES-TO-BUILD-NEW-TOWN-IN-EVERY-REGION.jpg)
Starmer pledges to build new town in every region
SIR Keir Starmer has promised a housing blitz that could see up to 12 new towns built with one in every region of England.
![Fury of murdered MP's daughter over terror blunders Fury of murdered MP's daughter over terror blunders](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21044/1993110/wBBr9QbEE1739421418006/FURY-OF-MURDERED-MPS-DAUGHTER-OVER-TERROR-BLUNDERS.jpg)
Fury of murdered MP's daughter over terror blunders
THE daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has accused officials of \"utter stupidity\" after a review found vital chances to stop ISIS fanatic Ali Harbi Ali were missed.
![Rehab courses cut for 'low-risk' sex offenders Rehab courses cut for 'low-risk' sex offenders](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21044/1993110/379a_MkBc1739421354646/REHAB-COURSES-CUT-FOR-LOWRISK-SEX-OFFENDERS.jpg)
Rehab courses cut for 'low-risk' sex offenders
SOME sex offenders and domestic abusers will not have to finish their rehabilitation courses because of the Probation Service crisis, Shabana Mahmood admitted yesterday.
AHMEDA-BAD
But Buttler defends England over 'lazy' jibe after latest flop
![Weight-loss jabs can also reduce alcohol cravings Weight-loss jabs can also reduce alcohol cravings](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21044/1993110/GEf3FmvM_1739420625277/WEIGHTLOSS-JABS-CAN-ALSO-REDUCE-ALCOHOL-CRAVINGS.jpg)
Weight-loss jabs can also reduce alcohol cravings
WEIGHT-LOSS injections slash alcohol cravings and can curb heavy drinking, research has suggested.
![Jellycat shoplift spree 'to spoil grandchildren' Jellycat shoplift spree 'to spoil grandchildren'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21044/1993110/WSVrH5qBz1739422586139/JELLYCAT-SHOPLIFT-SPREE-TO-SPOIL-GRANDCHILDREN.jpg)
Jellycat shoplift spree 'to spoil grandchildren'
A WOMAN who stole £440 of Jellycat soft toys told police she wanted them as gifts for her newborn grandchildren.
!['Horrendous call told me Harvey had been stabbed' 'Horrendous call told me Harvey had been stabbed'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21044/1993110/GDEJbw2Q-1739421591196/HORRENDOUS-CALL-TOLD-ME-HARVEY-HAD-BEEN-STABBED.jpg)
'Horrendous call told me Harvey had been stabbed'
A HEARTBROKEN mother has told of the \"horrendous\" moment she learned her teenage son Harvey Willgoose had been fatally stabbed.
'Incredible danger' of 90mph speeding in a 30mph limit
Driving too fast 'top cause of deaths'