In a 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 turn of events, a local newsagent in Rochester has found himself at the mercy of relentless theft, enduring four separate incidents of shoplifting in just one week. Krish Hinglajia, the 38-year-old owner of the Premier shop on Delce Road, describes this alarming trend as “worse than ever,” leaving him grappling with significant financial losses.
The chaos began on July 17, when a man brazenly walked into the store and made off with around £30 worth of cleaning supplies. CCTV footage captured the thief in action, filling his backpack and even stuffing items into his trousers, all while Krish’s father was manning the register.
Just a day later, the situation escalated when a group of children reportedly stormed the shop, snatching up chocolate, sweets, and ice creams before fleeing the scene. Krish claims that when confronted, the young thieves resorted to racial slurs against the staff.
“The very next day, it happened again,” Krish recounted, visibly frustrated. “These kids came in around 11:30 am and took the same items. It’s not fair to us; it’s summer, and ice creams are in high demand.
We’ve lost between £150 and £200 in just a week, especially on frozen goods, which are costly.”
The string of thefts continued, with the same group returning for a fourth time on July 21, leading Krish to report the incidents to the police. He expressed his deep concern over the rising tide of shoplifting in the area, citing police statistics that indicate 128 theft-related crimes reported between June 2025 and May 2026.
When asked about preventive measures, Krish felt disheartened. “There’s no point in putting up locks or counters; they’ll just steal those too. We feel powerless,” he lamented.
Moreover, Krish has voiced his disappointment with the police response. Despite reporting the thefts, he claims officers did not visit the store and instead directed him to submit CCTV footage online. “I’ve done everything I can, but it feels like we’re not getting the support we need,” he said.
“Why are we paying council tax for police services if we’re not receiving any help?”
In response to these incidents, a spokesperson for Kent Police confirmed that they are investigating the reports of thefts at the Delce Road shop. Inspector Paul Relf stated that officers are actively pursuing leads and have reached out to the business owner for further information.
As this small family-run shop continues to face these challenges, one has to wonder: what can be done to protect local businesses from such rampant theft?
