6 days ago
Fed-up shop owners try to track down sneaky shoplifter caught red-handed on CCTV
FED-UP craft shop owners in Greenock have taken matters into their own hands in a bid to catch a sneaky shoplifter.
Material Things Joyce Pollok and her daughter Luci went public with images of an older woman stealing from their new premises in Crawfurd Street.
CCTV pictures clearly shows the woman in the back room of their shop, which was the former MP Ronnie Cowan's offices, stuffing bows and other materials into her bag and on her person.
CCTV from the store shows the woman shoplifting (Image: Material Things)
The woman was captured on camera stuffing her bag with items (Image: Material Things)
The woman was also seen ramming items inside her clothes in a bid to conceal them (Image: Material Things) They are now hoping members of the public can help them track down the mystery shoplifter.
They highlighted the crime only days after the police highlighted the successful conviction of a prolific shoplifter and highlighted the cost for retailers.
Material Things owner Luci said: "To be honest we had the cameras for security but also so that we can see if people in the next room need help.
"No-one seems to know the person but we also wanted this it act as a deterrent. We will see you if you come in to steal."
The pair were gobsmacked at the brazen theft in their store around a month ago and alerted the police.
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Joyce added: "It was really busy, we saw her come in but thought nothing of it.
"Then later I realised that bows were missing, they were just new in. We checked out cameras and there she was.
"Some folk wondered if she'd come off the cruise ship.
"I contacted the police they asked if I would wait before posting the pictures but that was a month ago now so I just put them on."
In recent times there has been concerns raised about the number of shoplifting incidents in stores and the impact it has.
(Image: George Munro) Joyce said: "It has never really been much of a problem for us."
The mum and daughter moved from Cathcart Street to their new premises after they were flooded out for the fifth time and faced losing all their £140,000 worth of stock.
At the time Joyce told the Tele she felt like giving up the business.
But they have had a successful move and are now busier than ever.
Luci added: "We are so busy, we have all our regulars back while we also get passers by and people coming from out of town. There is more parking here and it is a great location."
Joyce opened Material Things in Greenock ten years ago and now has daughter Luci as a business partner.
Police Scotland has been contacted.
