Brazen Theft at Sunningdale Waitrose Shocks Shoppers

Images show the moment a man appeared to walk out of Waitrose in Sunningdale carrying armfuls of alcohol without paying.

Customers watched as staff tried to intervene shortly before 11am on September 24, as several men ran from the store carrying bottles of spirits, some still with security tags.

A witness said the group seemed organised. "As we were entering the shop, around five men came running out loaded with bottles of spirits," she said.

She added it was upsetting for staff and customers. "Personally, I felt physically sick, not just because of the brazen act itself, but the effect it had on many people in the shop. One elderly lady was visibly distressed."

Her friend, who photographed the scene, said: "They worked in groups of two," he claimed. "They are organised and brazen in their approach, with an air of invincibility knowing there is no one who will challenge them and a lack of consequences for their criminality."

The incident comes as shoplifting reaches record levels nationally. More than 500,000 shoplifting offences were recorded by police in England and Wales in the latest figures.

Thames Valley Police said it was working with local retailers to improve intelligence sharing. "This includes developing arrangements to share CCTV and relevant imagery quickly and effectively, helping to identify offenders and support investigations."

Waitrose said protecting staff and customers remained its priority. "The safety of our Partners and customers is our highest priority. We've invested heavily in measures to help tackle crime and we're grateful to Berkshire Police for their ongoing support."

The wider picture in Bracknell and surrounding areas includes other attacks on shops. In August, Optical Center in Bracknell suffered its second ram raid, during which a VW Polo was allegedly driven through the shop frontage and goods were stolen.

Councillor Roy Bailey, a former police inspector, warned the criminal justice system is under strain. "There is a sense that the criminal justice system isn't functioning properly," he said, and added: "There is no sticking plaster for this. It needs investment and reform. There are no quick fixes."

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter