Rampant teen crime affecting Durrington high street stores

A family store that has been running on Durrington high street for 45 years may be forced to close due to the recent spike in rampant teen crime due to which several other shops including a Co-op and a McColl’s convenience store are also getting affected.

Several shops on the high street in Durrington are being regularly shoplifted, with staff allegedly being assaulted as well.

According to local reports, Strandways Hardware, which opened in Durrington in 1978, has been the target of youths who have been stealing spray paint, lighters and plasterboard saws. Brothers Andy and Paul Cooper, who took the business over from their parents, say they were assaulted as well when they confronted the youths. 

They are now considering activating an option in their lease which means the store, in The Strand, could close next year. 

The news came as it was reported earlier by The Argus how the spike in teen crime has been plaguing businesses The situation has got so bad that police created a “wanted” poster of 30 notorious boys and girls  – dubbed the West Coast Nominals, stated the report. 

Sussex Police said they have spoken with the shop owners to update them on the status of the investigation. 

Seven of the 11 cases we have reported on so far for our investigation are part of ongoing investigations from police. Five of these cases were thefts, while two were arson attacks. Two of the cases are going to court. 

Police said they have a business crime team focused specifically on these types of incidents. 

“Sussex Police is focused on supporting businesses and investigating business crimes,” reports quoted Chris Neilson, force business crime lead, as saying.

“The unit has a team of investigators dedicated to investigating business crimes especially theft from shops and violence against shop workers and business staff. Business crime is not a victimless crime.”