Boots Clapham High Street robbery - video Post Reply

[Annabel (admin)]

This is a video sent to us by a user showing a robbery in Boots in Clapham High Street earlier this week.

I spoke to the user to verify it was genuine and the date.

A massive thank you to the NVN'er for sharing.

In her words, she feels this robbery was so blatant, and she understands the police have declined to act, and so believes this should be shared far and wide.

I'm naturally happy to stand corrected if action has subsequently been taken.

Thank you.

[muddyboots]

Where were the boots staff whilst she was screaming and filming?
They’re no doubt are exhausted and numb as they know it’s pointless to call the police.
It’s almost become decriminalised to shoplift.
Shops get a crime reference number and that’s it.

I was in flying tiger a while back and saw a man put an open rucksack on the floor and casually started getting and dropping things into the bag.
Staff were totally oblivious and I had to go over the tell them .

In Tesco Clapham South, a man just opened a big black bag and started shoving stuff into it .

It’s ridiculous.

[chorister]

Why should staff, probably paid the minimum wage because we want to buy everything as cheaply as possible, risk being knifed to protect someone else’s property?

[missraphaella]

This kind of blatant robbery is infuriating, especially knowing that the police have reportedly declined to act. What’s even more frustrating is that after eight years of Sadiq Khan as London’s mayor, crime remains rampant, and he has consistently failed to tackle it effectively. This isn’t the fault of the police - it’s a direct result of leadership that refuses to prioritise law and order. They are not to blame for being prevented from doing their job.

London was in a fantastic state in 2012; we hosted the Olympics, the city functioned well, and things felt safe. Now, it’s unrecognisable. What is it going to take for Londoners to finally wake up and realise he is NOT the leader this city needs? How much worse does it have to get before people acknowledge that he is actively destroying it? If you’re angry about incidents like this, it’s time to be honest—if you voted for him again, then there’s a responsibility to acknowledge his continued failure. Instead of focusing on performative identity politics, he should be addressing the real issues affecting Londoners every day.

[Letsmakeitbetter]

Sadly not surprised at all and certainly don’t doubt the authenticity. My daughter worked at Boots on St John’s Road, Clapham Junction and this was almost a daily occurrence. The thieves knew exactly when they restocked the shelves and would come in with big shopping bags and put their arm to the back of the shelf and sweep a full shelf of stock into their bag. My daughter said occasionally customers would scream, but it would make no difference, the thrives would continue to finish what they were doing and they would be back the following day. There is nothing that the staff (Or even security guard) can do. – Nor should they – unless they’re open to being stabbed in the shop – or as my daughter feared, while walking home after work. The shop assistants, regular thieves - and the police- know eachother by sight as they are such regulars. Some thieves have exclusion orders and are not meant to enter the shop, but they disregarded and go anyway. If they are arrested and go to court, then the shop assistants lose a days wages if they go to give evidence. I

Honestly, not sure what can be done. Not sure if Sadiq Khan is to blame, as apparently it’s the same thing up and down the country. Better law and order and clear consequence are certainly needed, but even with that in place, when people have nothing to lose they just won’t care. We’ve created a society where too many feel marginalised and don’t feel they can make a decent life. I think unless we go right to the core of the fabric of our society, and are willing and able to put more money into schools, ensure that the wages people get can give them a dignified life, etc. etc., then we won’t be able to stem the tide of the unravelling.

[missraphaella]

I fundamentally disagree with the idea that crime like this stems from marginalisation or lack of opportunity. We live in a time where access to education, resources, and technology has never been easier or cheaper. If someone genuinely wants to improve their life, there are countless free courses, grants, apprenticeships, and business opportunities available at their fingertips. The idea that widespread victimhood is the root cause of lawlessness is a convenient excuse, not reality.

The UK now has record numbers of working-age adults on benefits, many of whom are perfectly capable of working but choose not to because there are no consequences. Theft is effectively decriminalised, and criminals know it. If they are arrested (rarely), they walk free within hours, and the police don’t even turn up most of the time. That’s not because officers don’t care—it’s because they aren’t allowed to enforce the law properly.
 
This is exactly what happens when you have weak leadership. Sadiq Khan has made law and order a low priority while focusing on performative policies that do nothing to make London safer. Meanwhile, businesses suffer, staff feel powerless, and the city continues to decline.
 
If Londoners want change, we need leadership that actually values law enforcement and isn't afraid to impose real consequences for crime. Until then, this problem will only get worse.

[chorister]

@missraphaella - there is no magic money tree.  We can have as much or as little security, policing, healthcare and other public services as we are willing to pay for.  The fact is that every time we have an election we refuse to vote for the tax rises needed to provide more resources for the common good.

[dimelda]

@missraphaella - there is no magic money tree.  We can have as much or as little security, policing, healthcare and other public services as we are willing to pay for.  The fact is that every time we have an election we refuse to vote for the tax rises needed to provide more resources for the common good.

Chorister:  Spot on !  We pay far too little in taxes in the UK.  The higher the taxes, the better the services & a more equal society.