MASKED thieves have left supermarket customers "intimidated and afraid". 

Cllrs John Carson and Cate Vallis, who represent the Linn ward, have written to Sainsbury's CEO Simon Roberts asking for a security guard to be introduced into the Muirend store due to repeated shoplifting.

Sharing the letter on X, cllr Carson said he and cllr Vallis "have been greatly concerned by the reports of continued shoplifting incidents at [Sainsbury's] in Muirend, Glasgow which is putting customers and staff at risk". 

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In the letter to Mr Roberts they wrote: "We have been made increasingly aware of concerns from customers of repeated shop lifting incidents being carried out by masked individuals, which have left people intimidated and afraid."

They said they have spoken with Police Scotland on behalf of the community and local officers have "committed to keeping aware of the issue, maintaining contact with the store and regularly patrolling where possible" but highlighted they are unable to watch the Clarkston Road store continuously with thefts still occurring. 

The cllrs say a security guard would "restore confidence in the local community" that safety concerns for staff and customers are being taken seriously by Sainsbury's. 

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It comes after we previously reported as part of our The Cost of Crime series that recorded retail crime rose by 37% from 2022/23 to 2023/24 in Glasgow, with police noting a similar percentage increase for 2024/25 so far. 

Meanwhile, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) 2023 survey of its members found around one third of retail workers are considering leaving the sector or know someone who has because of abuse and violence. 

Tony Doonan, regional secretary, says what retail workers are experiencing is "awful". 

He said: "In March this year, we released the figures of last year’s survey, and it was really concerning.  

"70% told us they experienced verbal abuse [...] 46% told us they were threatened by a customer [...] and probably most worrying of all the members that told us they were actually physically assaulted had more than doubled from 5% up to 18%."

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(Image: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital) During a special Day of Action with police last month Stephanie Karte, national operations manager at Retailers Against Crime, exclusively told the Glasgow Times "shoplifting has become an epidemic and everybody is affected by it."

She said: "[Retail staff] stand at their door and get abused all the time.

"They get threatened with violence by people carrying weapons."

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(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) Superintendent Derrick Johnston also highlighted the affect shoplifting has on staff or customers who witness incidents. 

He said: "Retail crime is not victimless. It's important to highlight the impact shoplifting has on individuals.

"The fear is very real. The fear of repercussions if challenged, of being followed home, of going to court to give evidence and of being assaulted or abused."

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(Image: Newsquest) Sainsbury's and Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.