A hard-grafting shopkeeper has been left reeling after his sign branding thieves “scumbags” was probed by cops as provocative
A hard-grafting shopkeeper has been left reeling after his sign branding thieves “scumbags” was probed by cops as offensive.
Crime-hit Rob Davies, 61, stuck up notices across his Run Ragged vintage store to inform customers a selection of cabinets had to be locked due to shoplifters constantly striking. His home-made notice at his North Wales business declared: “Due to scumbags shoplifting, please ask for assistance to open cabinets.” The retailer put up the handwritten alert after he caught five thieves red-handed in the last 12 months alone – and lost around £200 of stock to shoplifting. But cops turned up to his retro shop to investigate a complaint about the contents of his sign.
He was told a member of the public had reported it to officers as potentially “provocative” and “offensive”.
Rob blasted: “It apparently caused offence to someone. The only people it should be causing offence to are the shoplifters. “One person whinges about a sign, and the police turn up and ask if I can take the signs down.
“I have a legitimate reason to complain to the police due to thieving – they don’t turn up.” Rob added he has given up reporting thefts to the cops as he considers them so useless.
He added he been “advised” to “re-word” his signs – but vowed that would “not happen”.
Rob raged: “You couldn’t make it up. When I asked who it could offend I was told a member of the public had reported the sign to them.
“I just wonder if that person was a shoplifter who was offended as it was detrimental to their work? Well, guys, if you know me you will know.
“I don’t mean to cause offence but in this case please feel free to be offended and stop frequenting my shop you are no loss.
“This is my livelihood. When people are stealing your safety net, what are you supposed to do? “Every penny counts for me.”
He added it seems only high street big hitters such as Tesco and the Co-op are being tended to when it comes to the fightback against Britain’s epidemic of shoplifting.
Rob said about the impact of thefts on his life: “It’s compounded with the cost of living, the business rates and everything else.
“Domestic electricity bills are a totally different price to commercial – commercial is nearly double. “When you’re not getting back up by the authorities you’re paying for, it’s really difficult.”
Rob said his morale was boosted by public support for his “scumbags” sign – and their shared outrage over his visit from the cops about the notice.
He added one fellow shopkeeper gave him another sign reading: “If you find anything offensive here please let us know so we can have a good laugh.” Rob said: “It means a lot, and restored my faith that there is that sense of community.”
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