THREE Iceland Employees Test HIV Positive After Shoplifters Assault Staff with Needles
In a shocking incident, three Iceland supermarket employees have tested positive for HIV after being attacked by shoplifters wielding hypodermic needles. These assaults reflect a growing trend of violence against retail workers, with incidents involving weapons such as knives, hammers, and firearms becoming increasingly common.
The attacks on the Iceland staff members resulted in severe injuries, including a broken jaw and fractured skulls. The situation has become so dire that the chain is losing a staggering £20 million per year to shoplifters. Frustrated and under siege, shopkeepers across the country are urgently appealing to MPs and the police to take action.
One such incident occurred in Leeds, where Saj Bhogal, a father of three, took matters into his own hands when an armed assailant attempted to rob his corner shop. Bhogal explained, I chase after any shoplifters if I see them, I wear trainers to get my stuff back. They’re not just robbing me but taking money from my kids.
These cases highlight a rampant crime wave plaguing the nation’s high streets. Despite police recording 339,206 shoplifting incidents in the past year, the British Retail Consortium estimates that the actual number of thefts could be as high as eight million. Shockingly, only 14 percent of reported shoplifting cases led to charges being filed, and over half of the investigations were closed without identifying any suspects.
The BRC has disclosed that retail theft in England and Wales surged by 26 percent last year. Additionally, Co-op stores have experienced a 41 percent increase in shoplifting cases within the first eight months of this year compared to the previous year.
As it stands, current laws restrict security officers from searching suspects without their consent, and staff members are prohibited from publicly sharing images of known shoplifters due to data protection laws. Industry leaders are now demanding a change to these regulations.
Stuart Walker, chief executive of the Crime Management Service, expressed frustration at the lack of police response, stating that they ignore 70 percent of calls for help with thefts in stores. To combat the problem, some retailers have resorted to offering free tea and coffees to police officers to encourage their presence around stores, while others have equipped their employees with bodycams as a protective measure.
This surge in violent shoplifting incidents raises concerns not only for the safety of retail workers but also for the economic impact on businesses. It is crucial for authorities to take immediate action to address this alarming trend, protect employees, and preserve the integrity of the retail industry.
