A disgruntled shop owner has attacked police after they have yet to arrest a thief who stole a jellycat toy from a garden centre.
Charlie Groves, 46, from Bridport, Dorset, turned detective after he was spotted on CCTV footage of a woman stuffing around £400 worth of toys into a baby pram.
Shocking footage shows shoplifters taking Jellycat toys, including one 59-pound hedgehog, from Groves Nursery School and quickly leaving without paying on October 1.
Groves was able to decipher the woman’s identity by deciphering her car’s personal license plate.
He was also later able to find her husband’s Vinted account after discovering one of the stolen items on a resale website.
After doing his own “detective work”, he eventually discovered her Facebook profile and handed all the information over to Dorset Police.
But Mr Groves, who runs a garden center, is furious that no arrests have been made after several months.
Dorset Police is understood to have confirmed that “further investigations are ongoing”.
Charlie Groves, 46, from Bridport, Dorset, turned detective after CCTV footage showed a woman (pictured) stuffing around £400 worth of Jellycat toys into a baby’s pram. Ta.
Groves (pictured) was able to decipher the woman’s identity by identifying her car’s personal number plate and tracing the toy to her husband’s Vinted account.
He told the Telegraph: “I went to the police with all the CCTV cameras and number plates, but unfortunately there was no response from the police.” It’s frustrating. ”
Groves explained that after recording the incident, he was asked for a written statement, but no officer came to take it in person.
He believes police are not doing enough in terms of bringing shoplifters to justice.
“I know they are short on resources and I understand that time is limited for any misdemeanor, but this involved something worth £400,” he said. Ta.
“We cannot give the police any more information. We have given them the license plate, description and clear surveillance footage.”
He told the magazine that all the evidence had been given to police “on a plate” and there was nothing more the store could do.
Mr Groves said the ordeal had left him feeling “helpless”, having already spent money on both CCTV and security staff to prevent such incidents.
The 46-year-old said both the resale site and the police should be held accountable.
It is understood that Dorset Police received a report of stolen goods on October 7, a week after the incident.
However, as there was “no imminent threat, risk or harm” Mr Groves was given a “stolen pack” to fill out.
Detective Chief Inspector Alyssa Forrest, of Dorset Police, said: “We recognize the significant impact shoplifting has on businesses and will ensure victims are kept informed of any important updates as investigations continue. I intend to do so.”
“Dorset Police is committed to supporting businesses and as part of our work to combat corporate crime, Operation Shopkeeper has been launched to target violent criminals and secure evidence to bring them to court.”
“This is a robust system-wide approach aimed at long-term crime prevention.
He told the Telegraph: “I went to the police with all the CCTV cameras and number plates, but unfortunately there was no response from the police.” It’s frustrating. ”
“Many people believe that shoplifting is an inherently victimless crime, but that is not the case. Retail theft causes significant harm to communities, businesses, and the economy.
“Working with Dorset Police’s Investigation and Resolution Center (IRC), vulnerable locations and repeat offenders are identified and notified to Crime Prevention Design Advisors who support these businesses in conjunction with local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). ”
“Our local neighborhood police officers also actively target these areas and provide a visible presence to deter crime.
“Local councils will then work together to implement community orders to deter future crime.”
MailOnline has contacted Vinted for comment.