Police uncover shoplifters’ swap shop packed full of 240 boxes of designer shoes and 40 boxes of household goods and make-up that were to be shipped abroad after thieves exchanged them for drugs

• Haul discovered following raid at home in Highbury Vale, Nottingham in October
• A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis
• Also suspected of handling stolen goods and possession of criminal property 

Hundreds of stolen designer shoes and household goods have been uncovered by police after they were exchanged for drugs in a so-called ‘shoplifters’ swap shop’.

The mammoth haul was found in boxes stacked floor to ceiling following a raid on a house in Rosegarth Walk in Highbury Vale, Nottingham, on October 19. 

A 36-year-old woman has since been arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis, handling stolen goods and possession of criminal property.

Around 240 boxes of designer shoes, 40 boxes of household goods and cosmetics as well as clothes were seized by the authorities. 

It is believed the goods had been stolen from shops across Nottinghamshire with thieves swapping the items for drugs.

Officers say the stolen items were due to be sent abroad and sold on the black market.

Hundreds of stolen designer shoes and household goods have been uncovered by police after they were exchanged for drugs in a so-called ‘shoplifters’ swap shop’ (haul pictured)

The mammoth haul (pictured) was found in boxes stacked floor to ceiling following a raid on a house in Rosegarth Walk in Highbury Vale, Nottingham, on October 19

Around 240 boxes of designer shoes, 40 boxes of household goods and cosmetics as well as clothes were seized by the authorities (haul pictured) 

PC Gordon Fenwick, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: ‘This was quite a find and not something that my officers thought they would encounter when they executed the warrant on October 19.

‘It is hard to put a price on the amount of goods we have seized but we believe they are stolen items from high street stores and supermarkets.

‘We also have intelligence to suggest these items were to be shipped overseas. We believe we have uncovered a shoplifting ring.

‘We believe this property was potentially used by the shoplifting fraternity to trade stolen items for drugs.

‘Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It can seriously affect businesses and result in their closures.

‘It also feeds drug addiction and has a huge impact on local communities in terms of crime and anti-social behaviour.

‘This was a great result, but the investigation is far from over as we work at bringing those who ran this operation to face justice.’

It comes after warnings that shoplifting is on the rise as the cost-of-living crisis continues to put a strain on families across Britain. 

Retailers in May said theft levels are ‘off the charts so far this year’, according to analysts as well as anecdotal evidence from supermarket bosses to their trade journal, The Grocer.

Thefts have soared since the beginning of the year and are continuing to increase in the wake of price rises, retailers have warned 

The magazine said: ‘Store managers have told The Grocer of higher crime rates as they’re noticing ‘new first time shoplifters’ as opposed to ‘the usual suspects.”

Professional shoplifters tend to target high value goods they can sell on, such as alcohol, razors and other items but a new breed are stealing even the cheapest of products from the shelves, said The Grocer.

It added: ‘One store manager reported shoplifting starting to rise across everyday and low-value items ‘that you’d find in your weekly basket’ in contrast to the more regularly targeted luxury, high-cost items.’

Retail analyst, Bryan Roberts, of Shopfloor Insights said: ‘The situation is definitely getting worse’ and said the crime rate was ‘off the charts’.

Some shops have reintroduced the one-way entry and exit points that were around during Covid to help socially distance customers but are now there to make it easier to track who comes in and out.

Others have beefed up security in terms of personnel and/or CCTV cameras.

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