A SHOPKEEPER in Caversham has shared footage of an alleged thief who made off with £100 worth of soap as traders fear the area is becoming an 'easy target' for criminals.

Staff at the gift shop NOOD in Church Street said more than £100 worth of soap was taken on Wednesday, July 10. 

Staff member Maddy Carson said she saw a suspicious man 'sneaking around like a shadow' before the soap was taken, with the store's CCTV appearing to capture the alleged theft. 

Maddy, 27, said: "When I finally spotted him, he ran out.

"We have had a few cases recently. To be honest, it seems like overall crime has got worse recently. In Caversham we have had police come in so much recently - not just for shoplifting, but for people's bikes being nicked, for violent behaviour, all sorts."

She added: "I'm always seeing people running out of Tesco and Iceland."

Maddy, who has worked at the store for more than two years, said she had previously confronted a shoplifter, leading to an 'awkward' encounter near the shop. 

She said: "The first shoplifting incident was a lady nicking a blanket worth about £55. I chased her and managed to get it back. I have seen that lady since walking about Caverhsam. 

"I panicked and said hello to her as I didn't know what to say."

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Store co-owner Jodie Anderton said smaller traders in the area seemed to suffer 'a ricochet effect' of shoplifters preying on nearby large supermarkets. 

Jodie said: "The big stores are frustrating as they don't seem to pursue shoplifters the second they leave the shop.

"It makes Caversham a target. We seem to suffer a ricochet effect from the bigger stores."

In February, the British Retail Consortium - which represents more than 200 major retailers - said that members had reported that theft costs had doubled to £1.8bn from 2022 to 2023, and retail violence had shot up 50 per cent. 

More than half of respondents said police response was "poor" or "very poor". 

In Caversham, Jodie called on police to bring a more visible presence to the Church Street area. 

She added: "We met with the police last week. They are doing their best to get police into Caversham. It would help even if its just a deterrent." 

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson, said: “At around 11.35am on Wednesday, July 10, we received a report of shoplifting on Church Street, Reading. 

“Officers are investigating and if anyone has any information about this incident, please call 101 quoting 43240326588.”