Police are appealing for the public’s help to identify a man they want to speak to in connection with a series of thefts from B&M in Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend, where items worth thousands of pounds were stolen.
On one occasion, the man was seen on CCTV entering the store wearing a t-shirt with the words “The Boss Man” printed on the front.
Essex Police are urging anyone with information that could help their investigation to come forward. Members of the public are asked to quote the crime reference number 42/101608/25 when providing details.
Reports can be made through the Essex Police website or by using their 24/7 Live Chat service at www.essex.police.uk/digital101. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Shoplifting on the rise across England and Wales
This case in Southend reflects a wider trend, with shoplifting now at its highest level in more than 20 years.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 530,643 reported shoplifting offences in the year to March 2025 – a 20% increase on the previous year. This is the highest number of shoplifting offences recorded since current police recording practices began in 2003.
Retailers have warned the problem is worsening. The British Retail Consortium’s director, Tom Ironside, said:
“The ONS figures prove what retailers have long been telling us – that retail theft is spiralling out of control. This is not a victimless crime. It triggers violence and abuse towards staff and costs retailers and customers £2.2bn a year.”
He added:
“The rise in organised crime is a significant concern, with gangs hitting store after store, even within a single day.”
Community frustrations about shoplifting Southend
Shoppers in Southend say the problem has become more visible in recent months. One resident told Your Southend: “You see people walking out of shops with bags of goods, and staff can’t do much. It’s really getting out of hand.”
Sarah White said:
“It’s such a big shop, with no one monitoring anything. People just walk in, grab what they want and walk out the entrance. I saw two women doing it. They filled a basket, went back to the entrance, off they went.”
Tina Weston added:
“What’s the point of employing and paying security guards? I was in there one afternoon. There were two security guards talking away and watched on as one of the female staff confronted someone by the exit doors to put stolen items down. He shouted back ‘Don’t touch me right!’ then carried on walking out meanwhile the two ‘security guards’ carry on their conversation.
“It’s the third time I’ve been in a Southend shop where there has been blatant stealing and total disregard for the law. There are zero consequences for unlawful people.”