Blitz on shoplifting

By KATH GANNAWAY
COLES supermarket has carried out a blitz on shoplifting at its Healesville store.
Loss prevention officers employed by Coles targeted the shop over two days.
Sergeant Tony Van Gorp of Healesville police said theft is a major problem in supermarkets and to a lesser degree in smaller stores.
“Depending on their size, and the type of products they sell, stores have varying degrees of shrinkage,” he said, noting that ‘shrinkage’ is a retail industry euphemism for nicer word for stealing … “which is what it actually is,” he added.
Maureen Halit, owner of The Tobacco Station in Healesville and Millgrove Newsagency, said shoplifting is an ongoing problem at both locations.
“I would be looking at losing anything up to $1000 a year in Healesville and $600 to $700 in Millgrove,” she said.
“Basically, they will steal anything they can get their hands on and get away with it, and I have had them from nine years up to a 35yearold.”
Ms Halit said when she catches a young person stealing she will approach their parents first rather than go to the police.
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of parents who just don’t care.
“Another sad aspect is that once you catch someone shoplifting, you never see them in the shop again as a customer they go elsewhere to shop.”
Sgt Van Gorp warned shoplifting is a serious offence which can have ongoing repercussions.
“If it’s a first offence they usually get a caution notice, after that, if there is any sort of history, they will face court,” she said.
“That generally means a conviction which is on their record for life.”
With an increase in the number of careers requiring a police clearance certificate, he said those repercussions can be longterm.
“A moment’s indiscretion can lead to a lifetime of humiliation,” he said.
*Healesville police charged two Healesville men with theft and cautioned three teenage girls last week.
The two men will face charges of theft from a shop at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court at a date to be set.