Business owners across Kent are facing a retail crime epidemic, battling constant incidents described as “more like looting than shoplifting”.

KentOnline visited one Kent town to see if the reality experienced by traders on the high street reflects cheery statistics about falling crime...

It’s just gone 11am in Gravesend and the town’s shoplifters are on the move. They’re familiar faces, known by name and reputation within the business crime partnership, g-safe.

A woman, can of super-strength lager in one hand and bottle in the other, staggers up Milton Road while her companion slips unsteadily on and off the pavement.

On the far side of the street, another scruffy gaggle of troublemakers is spotted.

Chairwoman of g-safe and owner of TJ’s pub, Iris Smith, rattles off the names and a summary of what they get up to.

Business owners say shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, criminal damage, and burglary have become a daily problem in a town struggling to cope with life after a pandemic and changing shopping habits.

It’s not just the street drinkers who are a nuisance but gangs of hooded teenagers targeting shops for booze and kicks.

The issue came up in the chamber of Kent County Council last week when, and in a rare show of cross-party unanimity, a Liberal Democrat motion was carried calling for a comprehensive review of retail thefts and what realistically can be done.

Conservative councillor for the town, Jordan Meade, echoed the TJ’s landlady’s words when he characterised it as “more like looting than shoplifting”.

Next door to TJ’s is a man who has been on the end of intimidating, gang-led thieving – the owner of Milton Food and Wine for 15 years, Sri Lankan-born Kumaran Sitkumaran.

He has seen a large increase in shoplifting offences, perpetrated mainly by hooded youths he says are aged between 15-18.

Their presence, milling around in all parts of the shop, means that no one individual can be observed properly.

His better-than-average CCTV system, which is visible on entering the premises, is no deterrent. He rarely reports small thefts to the police anymore.

The shop front glass has been smashed twice in the past three months.

Mr Sitkumaran, a 45-year-old married father-of-two, said: “They just think they can take what they like and not pay for it. They don't care. Shoplifting has doubled in the past year.

"The problem is always the worst in the school holidays and bank holidays."

On August 30 this year, the businessman watched a gang of youths come into the shop 15 minutes before he would normally close at 11pm and steal a bottle of booze.

The oldest looking, the only one not hooded, snatched a £15.99 bottle of Bacardi from his hand on the counter before scarpering with the gang.

A frightened Mr Sitkumaran says he reported the crime via Ms Smith and was told a police officer would collect the clear CCTV footage later, but it never was.

‘The trouble is that when you put anyone in front of the courts these days, they’re out before you know it...’

Ms Smith, a spirited Irishwoman who runs the pub with partner Thomas O’Keeffe, has noted a sharp increase in “low-level” crime in Gravesend over recent times, culminating in more serious disturbances on the streets over Halloween.

Witnesses say dozens of suspected drunk and drugged-up youths ran amok, setting off fireworks and causing property damage as they went with too few police officers on the scene to contain them.

“It was a tipping point for many of us,” she says. “There was lawlessness throughout the town that was frightening and appalling.

“The trouble is that when you put anyone in front of the courts these days, they’re out before you know it.”

Tailor Eve King, 78, has run Evie’s Sewing Centre for almost three decades and has been the victim of countless shoplifters, burglars, and opportunist thieves. Some will attempt to steal lengths of fabrics, sewing machines, cash , and belongings from the back of her busy Queen Street shop. They’ll even try to take buttons and pins.

She doesn’t bother with the police, instead confronting the criminals herself and demanding the return of her goods before telling them to “get the f*** out of my shop”.

“I feel stupid sometimes and I ask myself why didn’t I do this or that to stop it? But this is a busy shop.”

Why does she not retire? “I’m 78. What else would I do?”, she explained.

Recent figures issued by Gravesham Borough Council covering the September 2022 and August 2023 period indicated a fall in crime locally of 7.8% compared to a county-wide level of minus 4.7%.

These include a drop of 4.8% in shoplifting against a Kent increase of nearly 20%.

Reported crime in the borough fell by 7.8% against a county-wide decrease of 4.7%.

The local authority’s Labour leader Cllr John Burden said: “What these figures show is there is a real disconnect between actual levels of crime we are seeing in the borough and the perception or fear of crime, which is often fuelled through rumours and misinformation being shared as fact on social media, where isolated cases of violent crime in particular.

“Antisocial behaviour from street drinkers and large numbers of school children in certain parts of the town centre are also contributors to this overall perception of crime being on the rise when it is falling in nearly all measures.”

As for the Halloween disturbances, the council statement claims antisocial behaviour was kept to a "minimum" with police patrolling "anticipated problem areas".

Cllr Meade, who is also the opposition leader at Gravesham, has been incensed by this contention and stung by accusations that he has been talking his hometown down.

He fumed: “It was shameful to be accused of talking down Gravesend - the place that I was born and bred when I’m trying to voice the concerns of the many local businesses who day in and day out are having to put up with real violence and theft.

“We need a partnership approach to solving these issues – not a borough council which is totally disconnected from reality and who insultingly claims there is only a ‘perception and fear of crime’ in Gravesham. The issues are real and need addressing now.”

Speaking to traders, it is easy to see that the official figures may seem somewhat out of line with their own experiences.

If shopkeepers do not report crimes under a certain value, the official figures can seem distorted, and wrong even.

Some point the finger at the police and the council as those to blame, but most people accept the problem is many-layered and complex with no simple solution.

Jack Kamenou, 57, owner of the Reliance Fish and Chip shop in Queen Street, said the changes in people’s shopping habits had altered the nature of the town centre.

Once sickened by alcoholics defecating and urinating in the street, he now accepts the problem and tries to help.

Sitting behind the counter of his busy premises, Mr Kamenou reflects: “I have made my peace with the drinkers…I even feel sorry for some of them. I feed them and send them on their way.”

Covid-19 saw off 60% of his takeaway custom and 20% of his restaurant trade.

Footfall has retreated as the major retailers have done the same.

The cumulative impacts on the town have forced Mr Kamenou to branch out into live evening entertainment. It has proved successful with the shop space heaving after dark, even during the week.

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott urges people not to pin the whole blame on the force as there are many other factors at play.

‘Each person who shoplifts or commits crimes has his or her own set of issues...’

Arrests and charges are up significantly (21%) in the past two years, according to Kent Police.

Mr Scott said: "The solution to this is not exclusively with policing. One of the key factors which drive these crimes is drugs so we need to continue to be robust about drug use and drug dealing, not decriminalising it.

“Policing is working with retailers nationally to identify the organised groups involved with it to assist local forces with arresting offenders. And I’m pleased to see that locally, Kent Police are arresting and charging more people.”

Sophie Jordan, who runs g-safe, is reluctant to blame the police as they “do a great job when they’re called” but feels a greater presence would help.

“Prison is not the answer and can be counterproductive,” she said. “Each person who shoplifts or commits crimes has his or her own set of issues. Problems can be quite nuanced.

“We’ve got more police in Kent than we have ever had before. But we also have more people and we have more need for them. It needs to reflect the population.”

Recently, Kent Police’s district commander for Gravesham, chief inspector Will Lay, said: “Gravesham has a large number of residents and visitors who work in the area, use the busy retail centre and enjoy the vibrant night-time economy. We work closely with partners to ensure those frequenting the borough can feel safe and reassured.

“Gravesham, as with every other district in Kent, is benefitting from a dedicated team of officers who regularly patrol on foot in uniform and in plain clothes and are able to respond promptly to reports of incidents.

“These teams, which were introduced as part of the new enhanced neighbourhood policing model, are committed to preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, and work closely with other agencies to identify potential issues and intervene at an early stage.

“In addition to officers who patrol to keep our streets safe, we also have teams dedicated to tackling domestic related crime, bringing offenders to justice and supporting vulnerable victims.”

Ms Jordan advocated a “town ambassador” scheme, adopted elsewhere in the region, with properly regulated security professionals able to act as a visible presence with some powers, for example, to fine litterers.

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t want to be here but it’s a constant battle. It feels like we are being listened to but not being heard.”