A Glasgow shop owner has reported a toddler to police after CCTV showed the child stuffing stolen goods into her pyjama bottoms, in what the owner believes was a deliberate act of shoplifting trained by a parent.
Shamly Sud, who runs the independent store, said she was "gobsmacked" after reviewing the footage, which she estimates shows a girl of around three years old hiding approximately five items down her pyjama leggings. The incident took place at her shop in Glasgow, Scotland.
Distraction During Theft
According to Sud, the child entered the store with her mother and a younger sibling. She claims the parent and the younger child "created a distraction" while the tot carried out the theft, moving with her back facing the camera.
Sud said it was "clear" the girl had been "given instructions" by the mother. The child initially placed several "high value American food products" on the ground before returning to retrieve them and heading to the till.
Owner's Reaction
Speaking about the discovery, Sud said: "We found some items missing and when we looked back on camera we were shocked to see it was a young child. The child could not have been any more than three. She came in with a younger sibling and her mother. They walked round the store, picked up a couple of things and put them down next to some American stock."
She added: "The child then proceeded to pick up a couple of items and put them into her pyjama leggings. They did this a couple of times and then picked up the two items and took them to the till."
Police Report and Broader Context
The incident was captured on CCTV and reported to the police. Sud, 55, who runs 11 stores and has worked full-time in retail since 2011, said theft from shops was at an all-time high. She explained that every incident gets reported to police but no action ever follows.
Sud described the mother wandering around with another youngster, who she reckoned was two years old, to provide what she believes was a deliberate distraction. She said: "There must have been about five items she put down her pyjamas. They were from the American stock. The manager showed me the CCTV and I just could not believe the way it was done. The mum then proceeded to buy the items that were put down so you could see how it was all planned."
She concluded: "This is not the child at fault here. Any child is not born a thief."
