Charity shop manager “anxious to go to work” after two burglaries

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy

A South London shop manager working in the “safest neighbourhood” in the capital claims her store had been burgled “twice in three weeks,” and feels “anxious coming to work”.

Orpington in Bromley sits just two miles north of Kent and, according to Met Police data, is home to two areas that are safer than any other in London.

Both Orpington South and Crofton have an average of 29 crimes occurring per 1,000 people. However, a spree of recent burglaries in the region has left people feeling unsure about their safety.

Tracy Copley, 57, manager of the Scope charity shop in Orpington High Street, said: “We get a lot of unsavoury characters in the shop. Very unsavoury, a lot of shoplifting goes on. We don’t approach, we’ve been burgled twice in three weeks.”

Ms Copley claimed several charity shops were also burgled a few months ago. However, she said Scope was the only shop to be robbed for a second time, making employees feel vulnerable and “like a target”.

She said: “If they’re going to rob a charity shop, they’re not right in the head, are they?

“I leave the light on every night now because I don’t want to walk in here in the dark because you don’t know what you’re going to find, so you get a bit anxious coming into work.

“I shouldn’t have to. I love my job, I love what I do. I shouldn’t have to be anxious walking into where I work.”

The shop manager said the charity was still finding the funds to replace the stolen items, which include two laptops. She said that despite the police responding very quickly when she reported the crime, the overall presence in the area is low.

She said: “You don’t see police in Orpington, unless they’re going past with their lights.

A Met spokesman said the force was aware of concern in the area and will “always do our best to act” when incidents are reported.

He added: “Our neighbourhood policing teams actively patrol residential areas and engage with the community to deter antisocial behaviour.

“They welcome input from residents and will act on intelligence provided to take preventative action to tackle crime when there are opportunities to do so.

“We are committed to working with local people to ensure they can feel safe and secure in their community.”

Pictured top: The Scope shop in Orpington High Street (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga/My London)