00:00Jake Aldridge has spent nearly two years running the Wisdom Hospice charity shop in Rochester.
00:08In that time, a warring trend has emerged.
00:12We've had quite a few thefts, ranging from numerous things,
00:16from just clothing to expensive jewellery out of the cabinets.
00:20We've had watches stolen, we've had glassware, homeware, antiques,
00:26loads of bits that have been stolen and obviously it affects the sales within the shop
00:31because although obviously we don't pay for the products, it does prevent us raising money for the charity.
00:37But this is just one case in many.
00:40In the past five years, there have been over 17,000 reported cases of shoplifting across the county.
00:46This represents a 38% increase since 2020.
00:50And charity shops have been hit particularly hard.
00:53According to a recent survey by the Charity Retail Association,
00:56in the majority of cases, respondents reported an increase in the past 12 months in cases of shoplifting.
01:02It's on a rise. It is. We're dealing with shoplifters constantly as well as the normal as well.
01:12We're always having to be on the lookout at the time of it.
01:19I've had many experiences. Being in where we are, I've had to stop about three or four people constantly.
01:28For all those caught red handed, many more slip through the cracks.
01:32What we have to understand is that shoplifting is a massively underreported crime.
01:37The numbers that we're seeing are only those which have been reported to the police.
01:40The estimates are that this is much, much higher.
01:43There's multiple different reasons why we are seeing retail crime and the increase of it.
01:48Some of it has been organised crime groups.
01:50Some of it has been linked to people's addictions as drugs and alcohol.
01:57And also there are people who do steal because they need to.
02:02I think people should be held to account for it.
02:05But the police have got a number of different ways in which they can do that
02:08through community resolutions, cautions, formal charging and work with the businesses as well.
02:15With the holidays coming up, Kent residents will continue to head to the shops.
02:19For the authorities, the challenge is clear. Stop the cases of theft from piling up.
02:26Alfie Roy for KMTV in Rochester.
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