Make it Magic owner, Pete Gallagher is calling for stronger policing following continual thefts from his store.
Pete told the Daily Echo: “In the eight years we’ve been here, I don’t think it’s been as brazen as it is now.
“We’ve had to adopt a policy of asking customers to walk around with a shopping basket because it was just getting to the stage where some people were pretending to drop items in their buggy or try and walk out with something.
“It might not be considered much, but if someone swipes five of our helium balloons from the shelf at £10 apiece, we’ve lost £50 just like that.”
The store reported that thefts are affecting its business on a weekly basis.
Hampshire Police recently said more officers were patrolling the area with a focus on the high street.
Pete added: “I’d welcome the opportunity for an officer to come in and have a chat with me. I’d like to see the police come in and help pick up people on the smaller misdemeanours that they seemingly think they can get away with, rather than just walk by.
“At the end of the day, we’re a self-made business and we’re trying to keep retail on the high street thriving.”
