Bridgnorth traders using WhatsApp to combat wave of shoplifting
Traders in Bridgnorth say they feel left to fend for themselves against a 'never ending' stream of shoplifters.
The claim comes as police have warned that 'a number' of shoplifters are operating in Bridgnorth.
Now shop owners are resorting to using a mobile phone messaging app in their fight against crime, while some have called for the reintroduction of the Shopwatch scheme, which used walkie-talkies.
Businesses in the town are using WhatsApp on their mobile phones to alert other traders to instances of shoplifting.
It is a method that has already proved successful, with two arrests made thanks to the ability of shop owners to quickly alert others in the town.
Police in the town, through the 'Bridgnorth Cops' Twitter account, said: "We are aware of a number of shoplifters operating in the area.
"Any information that you can give us about offences in the town may help us to identify and arrest the offenders."
Steve Robbins, chairman of the town's Chamber of Commerce, said the group had discussed the issue at its last meeting.
He said: "Shoplifting is a problem everywhere and it is not a new issue in Bridgnorth.
"The chamber is aware that many traders are now using WhatsApp to combat shoplifting, and this is proving successful with two arrests already made in the first few weeks.
"We are fully supportive of this initiative and would encourage all traders to consider joining to help protect themselves."
Michelle Snoad, store manager of The Original Factory Shop in High Street, said bringing back a dedicated walkie-talkie scheme would be better.
'It's not the people you think'
"Shoplifting is never-ending – and it's not the people you think," she said.
"It's definitely got worse since I've been in the town. I've been here three years.
"Not having the walkie-talkie scheme in the town has been detrimental."
The Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes ran until 2014, linking businesses.
"The crime rate dropped," Ms Snoad said. "WhatsApp isn't always easy to do. We can't have phones on the shop floor – that just opens us up to theft of personal belongings.
"There are locals doing it, but being a tourist town how do you keep track? Tourists come in to the shop, they come in to the the town for their holidays. It could be anybody."
