Locals 'Afraid' To Shop At Gunnersbury Co-Op

Say shoplifting and 'intimidation' has increased because of lack of in-store security

Chiswick High Road Co-op

Locals in a residential area close to Gunnersbury Co-Op store are furious over "a lack of security" at the store which has led to prolific shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and intimidation in the normally quiet neighbouring streets.

They say an alleyway near Silver Crescent has become populated by 'down and outs and criminals', who steal alcohol from the store, and have accused Co Op of "putting profits before community relations" by failing to address their concerns, despite its claim to be a company which engages with local communities.

The residents, who have taken their concerns to Ruth Cadbury, who was the local MP until the end of the last parliament, and to Hounslow Council say the store should have full-time security guards to stop thieves shoplifting alcohol and then congregating around the back alleyways to consume it and intimidate local people with drunken behaviour.

One local is submitting an application to oppose the store's licence to sell alcohol unless an attachment is included specifying that the store should provide full-time security. They say they have sent over a dozen letters of complaint on the matter.

It is understood the Co-Op, which is located at 578 Chiswick High Road, does have a security guard in the store in the afternoons, but locals say the local criminals take advantage of this to shoplift when there is no security present.

Residents in Silver Crescent told Chiswickw4.com that on Thursday a young schoolgirl was approached by an inebriated man in a hoodie who was loitering nearby and who started to follow her. She ran home screaming and her parents have advised others not to allow their children to go to the shop alone.

They told us of another incident where customers chased a shoplifter out of the store who then threw the box of stolen goods he was carrying onto the road where an oncoming car had to swerve.

There have been a number of meetings by concerned residents. One told us he had heard fifteen eyewitness accounts of thefts. The police have been called to the area a number of times but no arrests have been made.

A formal meeting was held last week (Thursday 7 November) attended by residents, Hounslow Council's Licence Enforcement Officer, and the West Area Police Licensing Enforcement Officer. A senior member of the Co-Op's management team at regional level was invited and was scheduled to attend, but did not arrive. Residents say the Council has been very helpful on the matter.

We visited the store on Thursday afternoon and did not observe any visible security presence. A senior member of management in the store said they were aware of the residents' concerns and said the regional management would be getting involved.

Ruth Cadbury has expressed her concern about "a lack of security" around the supermarket.

She said: "I have written to Co-op asking for urgent action about the large amount of shop lifting and anti-social behaviour taking place both in, and around the shop on Chiswick High Road.

"Local residents and business owners have told me how worried they've been about the lack of security."

Cllr Joanna Biddolph who is a councillor for the Turnham Green ward said she had been approached by a number of local people about the issue.

Shoplifting is an ongoing problem for all the major stores in the Chiswick area. The traders' alliance is discussing how to best share information so they can warn each other about shoplifters operating in the area.

November 10, 2019