The shocking moment two people seemingly stuffed a rucksack with over £100 in children’s clothes has been caught on camera. Spoilt for Choice on Sheerness High Street, Kent was targeted by thieves on August 5, while one of the owners was on holiday. Paula Desai, co-owner of the shop, described the action as “so blatant”.
She told KentOnline: “They were literally picking the sizes of the dresses that they wanted. They were very specific about it. It wasn’t just them coming in and taking a handful of stuff. They chose exactly what ages they wanted. One turned around while the other one unzipped her bag and stuffed it in. They took well over £100 – god knows what it would have been retail price.”
Other co-owner Rita McDonald was in Turkey when the incident occurred, but caught the incident live on her phone through the CCTV.
Rita then called Paula, who confronted the women as they were about to leave. She recounted: “I stopped them as they were leaving the shop and said ‘have you got anything that you haven’t paid for?’
“One of them denied it, shook her top and held her bag open. It was completely empty. I then realised they had put everything in her friend’s rucksack.
“It’s just really frustrating. It was all planned and they knew exactly what they were doing. They knew that I couldn’t do anything other than check.”
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “On 6 August 2025, Kent Police received an online crime report about a previous incident of shoplifting in Sheerness.
“It is alleged that at around 1.40pm on 5 August two women stole several items of children’s clothing from a shop in the High Street. It is reported the stolen items were concealed in a rucksack.
“An investigation is underway and officers are appealing to anyone with information to call 01795 419119, quoting crime reference 46/136679/25.”
