Walsall trader targeted by gangs of shoplifters

A fed-up shopkeeper says gangs of organised shoplifters are targeting his store, leaving him worried about the future of his family-run business.

Ajaib Garcha claims there have been three incidents at Spend 'n' Save in Walsall over the past three weeks.

He said groups of men are coming into the Pleck Road store and distracting staff before grabbing bottles of alcohol from the shelves. Police are now investigating and are looking at images taken from the CCTV system. Mr Garcha, aged 56, has been running the store since 2007.

He said he has been left counting the cost during difficult times for shopkeepers.

Bottles of brandy and amaretto were stolen on two occasions, but the shop-lifters were foiled in their latest attempt last Friday.

Mr Garcha, of Smethwick, said: "The first time they stole a bottle of brandy and amaretto and the second group took a bottle of brandy.

"They have been in groups of four. They walk into the shop and one person stands at the counter while the other three spread themselves around and then they start asking questions about the prices of things to distract attention.

"It is different men on each occasion but they all look quite young, about 20.

"The third time it happened was last Friday. I was on my own on the counter. I became suspicious and saw them trying to steal a bottle of brandy but I got it back.

"This is a very hard time for shopkeepers and we could do without this. I'm getting fed up. I'm worried about the loss of business and money if it continues."

He said shoplifters had also recently targeted his Nisa store in Hockley, Birmingham. He added: "Someone came in and waited for the shopkeeper to put a bottle of vodka on the counter and then picked it up and walked off with it."

West Midlands Police said they were investigating the thefts. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.