Shoplifters are believed to have struck at an independent Wokingham business, inflicting another blow on retail in the town.
Children’s clothing retailer This Little Piggy in Elms Walk was targeted last week, and more than £650 worth of stock was taken.
Taking to social media, the owners said that two extremely polite women entered the shop, and it only became apparent after they’d left that 22 items totaling £654 had disappeared.
Owners Maxine and Kirsty wrote: “On a weekly basis, we are having to deal with scumbags like this, and we are bored of it.
“We don’t run the shop for nothing, but unfortunately people like this are making it harder and harder for small businesses to survive.”
Since posting details of the theft, the shop has been swamped with support, and even information as to who may be responsible.
Speaking to Wokingham Today, Kirsty Herbert, business partner, said: “Thanks to our CCTV picking up a conversation, we are confident we know the nationality of these people, and from what they said it’s clear they knew exactly what they wanted.
“I’d really like to thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out since this happened.”
Kirsty added some of the items taken are distinctive, and are hard to buy elsewhere. The haul included items from brands such as Jamkins, Mayoral, Rapife, Harris Kids and iDo.
The suspects took four identical boys Mayoral t-shirts, identified by an image of a yellow bum bag, in ages two, seven, eight and nine.
The shop was also the victim of a May 2023 shoplifting spree during which more than £800 worth of baby clothes were stolen.
The incident happened around 4pm on Thursday, April 18.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police told Wokingham Today the incident is under investigation.
“It occurred at some time between 3.45pm and 4pm on April 18, when approximately £650 worth of children’s clothing was stolen from the store.
“We would ask anybody who witnessed the incident to contact Thames Valley Police, either via its website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43240189313.”
