A Clare charity shop has issued an urgent call to the Justice Minister to introduce legislative changes to ensure young offenders and serial shoplifters are held to account.
It comes following an escalation of incidents of shoplifting, intimidation and anti-social behaviour at the Irish Wheelchair Association’s charity store in Ennis between April and September this year.
Management say they were forced to take action, amid concern that staff and volunteer safety was being put in jeopardy during incidents involving parents using their children to steal from the store.
Measures such as CCTV footage, increased staff numbers and a stop-go system, which involves a locked and manned half-door at the entrance are said to have had a positive impact in the last quarter of the year.
Manager of the Irish Wheelchair Association Charity Shop in Ennis, Martina Nagle insists the judicial system is not working in retailers’ favour.
You can listen to the full interview below.
