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A woman casually walks into a convenience store and starts filling a bread crate with goods from one of the aisles.

A shop assistant tries to stop her, but she shrugs him off, undeterred. With the crate now full of items, she leaves without paying.

It is a scenario that is played out day in and day out across Britain, as retailers warn the surge in shoplifting is now “out of control”.

A Nisa supermarket storefront
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Four in five store owners tell Sky News they’ve experienced shoplifting in the last week.

I’m sitting in the security office of a busy city centre shop and I’m watching as a schoolboy walks in and helps himself to a sandwich, stuffing it into his jacket.

Watching with me is shop worker Anton Mavroianu who positions himself by the main entrance waiting for the youngster to leave.

When the boy does leave, Anton demands the item back. Instead of being frozen with fear that he’s been caught, the boy laughs and walks off.

“All we can do is try to stop them,” Anton tells me. “But this is just another day for us.”

Anton Mavroianu
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Anton Mavroianu said he has been threatened with a knife while trying to stop shoplifters

A few weeks earlier, when Anton tried to stop a shoplifter who had stolen from the store, the man pulled out a knife and tried to attack him.

This terrifying incident is an example of the very real threat posed to shop workers as they try to stem the tide of brazen thefts.

Shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales have risen to the highest level in 20 years.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) also reports that theft-related losses cost the retail sector millions each year, adding strain to an industry already grappling with post-pandemic recovery and economic uncertainty.

For small businesses, which lack the resources of larger chains, persistent theft can threaten their very survival.

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CCTV of a Nisa supermarket

Ricky Dougall owns a chain of convenience stores and says shoplifting cost his business around £100,000 last year.

“Shoplifting is a huge problem and it is what stops us from growing the business.

“People come in and help themselves like they own the place and when you call the police, most of the time, they don’t turn up.”

Supermarket owner Ricky Dougall - who says shoplifting cost his business around £100,000 last year
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Ricky Dougall said part of the problem is how shoplifting is classified during sentencing

Mr Dougall says part of the problem is how this type of crime is classified.

Sentencing guidelines for thefts of under £200, so-called “low level shoplifting”, were relaxed in 2016. That is being blamed for the surge in cases.

An exclusive Sky News and Association of Convenience Stores survey shows that 80% of shopkeepers surveyed had an incident of retail crime in the past week.

The poll also found 94% of shopkeepers say that in their experience, shoplifting has got worse over the last year, with 83% not confident that the police will take action against the perpetrators of retail crime on their premises.

Paul Cheema from the Association of Convenience Stores says retailers are looking to Government to support them.

“I would say officials do not give a s*** about us retailers,” he tells me. “The losses are too big and I don’t think we can sustain that anymore.

“I would urge Keir Starmer to come and meet us and see up close the challenges that we are facing.”

Retailers have responded by investing heavily in security measures, from advanced surveillance systems to hiring more security staff.

But these investments come at a cost, often passed down to consumers through higher prices.

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I get chatting to Matt Roberts, head of retail in the store I am in. He worries about shoplifting, but he worries about the staff more.

“I would imagine they dread coming to work because they’re always on tenterhooks wondering whether something is going to happen today, whether they are going to have to try and confront someone.

“It’s a horrible feeling. It’s out of control and we need help.”

Matt Roberts, head of retail at a Nisa supermarket
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Matt Roberts says he is concerned for his staff, who have to confront shoplifters

The government has acknowledged the urgency of the issue. Home Secretary-led discussions with retail associations and law enforcement are underway to craft a comprehensive strategy.

In the King’s Speech, the government outlined details of a Crime and Policing Bill, which promised to “introduce stronger measures to tackle low level shoplifting”, as well as introducing a separate offence for assaulting a shop worker.

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Woman who died after she was attacked by a dog in Bristol named as Morgan Dorsett

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Woman who died after she was attacked by a dog in Bristol named as Morgan Dorsett

The 19-year-old woman who died after she was attacked by a dog at a flat in Bristol on Wednesday has been named as Morgan Dorsett from Shropshire.

Two people – a man and a woman both aged in their 20s – have been arrested over the attack and have been released on conditional bail.

Initial reports suggested the dog may be an XL bully, but confirming the breed will form part of the police assessment process, according to Avon and Somerset Police.

It was sedated and seized by officers.

Pic: PA
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An XL bully. File pic: PA

Ms Dorsett’s family thanked the public for their support and those who have left flowers near the scene.

Officers were called to an incident in the Hartcliffe area of Bristol at 7.19pm on Wednesday.

Paramedics and police officers attended but Ms Dorsett died at the scene.

Morgan Dorsett, 19. Pic: Avon and Somerset Police
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Ms Dorsett. Pic: Avon and Somerset Police

On Thursday, Inspector Terry Murphy said: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of the young woman who’s tragically died as a result of yesterday evening’s incident. They have been updated and will be supported by a family liaison officer.

“I’d also like to thank the officers and paramedics who attended yesterday evening and tried to save her life. Support is in place for them.

“A full investigation is now well under way to establish the full circumstances of the events that led to her death.”

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A general view of floral tributes left near the scene on Cobhorn Drive, Hartcliffe, Bristol, where a 19-year-old woman died after she was attacked by a dog on Wednesday night. A man and a woman, both aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death and possession of a prohibited breed of dog, as the dog responsible for the attack is believed to have been an XL bully. Picture date: Thursday February 27, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Dog. Photo credit should read: Rod Minchin/PA Wire
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Flowers left near the scene. Pic: PA

A neighbour also paid tribute to Ms Dorsett, saying she “seemed a lovely girl” and had only lived in the property for a few weeks.

“I was up all night awake trying to process this,” the neighbour, who did not want to be named, said.

“I am shocked. I just can’t believe it’s happened and she hasn’t been there that long.”

The neighbour said she had seen the dog on a lead with its owner and was certain it was an XL bully.

“I do feel so sad for the dog owner,” she said.

“She did mention the dog wasn’t great with men, fine with women and children.

“I feel for her so, so much. It wasn’t her fault.”

She added: “I genuinely feel that this was one of those freak accidents and wasn’t her fault – that’s how I feel.”

In February 2024 it became a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.

Anyone owning one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, microchipped, and kept muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.

The government move to ban the breed followed a series of attacks on people and other dogs.

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Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson cleared of coercive control and assault allegations related to his wife

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Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson cleared of coercive control and assault allegations related to his wife

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson has been cleared of coercive control and assault allegations relating to his wife.

The 46-year-old was accused of being violent towards Rebecca Hanson over an eight-year period.

The charges were brought after he was arrested in June 2023.

The TV auctioneer, from Mackworth, Derby, denied controlling or coercive behaviour spanning from 2015 to 2023, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assault by beating. The two assault charges related to incidents in 2015 and 2023.

During the trial, Hanson claimed his wife had controlled him. He told the court he was “almost a slave” to her, saying she left him “a beaten and broken man” by controlling him and making him subservient towards her.

She had claimed her husband was violent towards her and put her in a headlock in 2012, while she pregnant with a baby she later lost.

Mrs Hanson also alleged her husband repeatedly “grabbed” her, scratched her as she tried to snatch a mobile phone and pushed her twice during a row.

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Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson outside Derby Crown Court, Picture date: Friday February 28, 2025. Pic: PA
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Hanson outside the court with his parents today. Pic: PA

The auctioneer told the court his wife was allowed “to do what she wanted” but had experienced “moments and episodes” including one which saw her claim his legs being crossed amounted to abuse.

Jurors deliberated for around four and a half hours before delivering not guilty verdicts on all charges.

As the verdicts were returned, Hanson smiled at his parents, who were sat in the front row of the public gallery at Derby Crown Court, and gave them a thumbs-up.

After thanking the jurors for their care in considering the case, Judge Martin Hurst told Hanson: “You have been found not guilty. That is the end of the case. You will hear no more about it and you are free to go.”

The TV star’s parents wept and hugged their son after he was discharged from the dock.

Hanson ‘relieved this is all over’

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson speaks to media outside Derby Crown Court, Picture date: Friday February 28, 2025. Jacob King/PA Wire
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Hanson speaks to media after the verdict. Pic: PA

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Hanson said: “I’m delighted that after a year and a half the truth has finally come out.

“I can finally live my life again. I feel this burden has finally been lifted.”

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“It has been a tormentuous time and all I want now is to readjust to what has been such an ordeal,” he continued. “I am so relieved that this is all over.”

As well as regularly featuring on Bargain Hunt, Hanson has appeared on Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip.

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‘Monster’ who fatally beat chef near Notting Hill Carnival jailed for life

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'Monster' who fatally beat chef near Notting Hill Carnival jailed for life

A self-described “monster” who beat a top chef to death near Notting Hill Carnival has been jailed for life.

Omar Wilson repeatedly punched and kicked Mussie Imnetu during an altercation outside a restaurant in Queensway, west London, on 26 August last year.

Wilson, 31, then left the scene to go clubbing.

Mr Imnetu, 41, who worked under star chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, died in hospital four days later, without regaining consciousness.

Mussie Imnetu. Pic: Metropolitan Police
Image:
Mussie Imnetu. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Sentencing Wilson to a minimum 18 years, Judge Philip Katz said Mr Imnetu’s “brutal” killing was “abhorrent”.

“Mussie and those who loved him are the victims in this case and the impact on them of his murder has been severe,” he said.

“Mussie was defenceless on the ground when you punched and kicked him to death.”

He continued: “You could not control your temper. Only a few seconds after punches were aimed by both of you you tripped Mussie and he fell to the ground and you could have walked away.

“As he knelt you rained further punches down on his head. You could have walked away.

“However, you stood up, raised your leg and kicked him hard to the head. Kicking someone to the head when they are defenceless on the ground is abhorrent.”

CCTV footage of Omar Wilson at a security point after the assault. Pic: Metropolitan Police
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CCTV footage of Omar Wilson at a security point after the assault. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Mr Imnetu’s wife, Linda, described her husband as “respected, admired and loved” in a pre-recorded victim impact statement played in court.

“Mussie didn’t just leave behind a legacy for his family, he left an indelible mark on his workplace and community,” she said.

“Nothing can undo what has been taken from us. I ask the court to remember the man Mussie was: his character, his integrity and the life he built; not just the circumstances of his passing.”

An audio recording of Mr Imnetu’s six-year-old son wishing his “daddy” goodbye was also played in court, which the judge called “heart-rending”.

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CCTV footage was played in court during the trial showing Wilson approaching Mr Imnetu and headbutting him.

Around a minute later, Wilson punched Mr Imnetu five times in the head, continued to repeatedly punch him while he was on his hands and knees, and then kicked him in the head.

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Wilson of Napier Road, east London, told the Old Bailey he was acting in self defence, telling jurors: “I just regret that somebody’s life was taken while I was trying to defend mine.”

He claimed Mr Imnetu had a broken bottle – something Judge Katz described as “a deliberate lie”.

The court heard after the attack that Wilson had told an associate he “crossed the line”.

In a message, he said: “There’s a monster in me, man, and it’s just like sometimes it comes out.

“And I think I’ve messed up now, I’ve messed up, everything’s finished.”

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