Numerous businesses throughout Mullumbimby say they have noticed an increase in thefts over the last year, with Mockingbird Vintage reporting around $1,000 worth of clothes and jewellery stolen last Friday.
Owner, Sally, told The Echo that a couple entered the shop and the woman was filmed on their 12 CCTV cameras stealing both clothing and jewellery over a 15 minute period before leaving the premises.
Following the incident, Sally put some of the footage of the theft online and received a call from a member of the public who had spotted the couple on Broken Head Beach.
As a result, Sally was able to supply the police with the licence plate of the thieves.
‘I’ve since received calls from several other shops who have experienced in increase of goods bring stolen from their shops as far away as Coolangatta.’
Senior Constable Jake Trapani emphasised the importance of shop owners reporting thefts to the police so that they can take action.
‘If people don’t report the thefts, we don’t know about it. If they are reported and there are multiple thefts, then we are potentially able to link them together for the case. But we need to know that it is happening.’
Zoe Zahra from Mitre 10, and Jenelle Stanford, who owns the Mullum newsagency, both said they had experienced an increase in thefts over the last six to twelve months.
Some shop owners also noted that there had been an increase since the pods were installed in town.
‘We had one woman come in who had bare feet, she tried on a pair of boots before walking out with them on, without paying’ said Ms Zahra.
‘For a family-owned business like Mitre 10, the thefts have a big impact, and it can be quite time consuming to report the incidents to the police as well.’
Ms Stanford, former president of the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce, told The Echo that a number of businesses had come to her regarding the increase of theft in Mullumbimby.
‘One man who we recently caught stealing on camera also bought $100 worth of Lotto,’ she pointed out.
Biz doing it tough
‘It is really tough on small businesses who often don’t run on a massive profit margin. Also, considering the last few years of covid and floods, businesses have been doing it even tougher.
‘For many, losing thousands of dollars to theft can impact the viability of their business in the long term. These are local businesses that employ locals, spend their money in the local community and care about the town.’
Thieves caught
Fortunately for Mockingbird Vintage, the police were able to track down the thieves and retrieve the stolen goods. They also found a range of other goods that had been stolen.
‘Having CCTV footage is helpful’, said Senior Constable Trapani, ‘however, if people can take a number plate that is also really useful.’
To report a crime go to the NSW Police portal at www.police.nsw.gov.au.
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