Bristol shopkeeper - travellers use their kids to steal
A Bristol dress shop owner fears she could be put out of business by "travellers" who use their children to help them steal.
Susanne Lawson, who owns Lady Chique in Horfield, says she is being targeted by families of thieves who regularly take valuable items.
She says thousands of pounds of dresses and clothes have gone missing from her shop over the last few years and in the last month her business has been hit several more times.
Last Friday afternoon, a family of four with Irish accents went into the shop on Gloucester Road. The mother tried on a gown and a man, presumed to be her partner or husband, went to the till and tried to pay for a different dress.
But the cash card he used had no chip in it and while he distracted Mrs Lawson, the woman and a girl aged about four left the shop with a dress worth £350.
It was a full-length, size-12 white gown with a tight bodice, lace, mother-of-pearl beads and sequins, made by Champagne fashions. Mrs Lawson also discovered a £120 blue silk top had also vanished.
She said: "It happens all the time and I'm sick of it."
Mrs Lawson, 57, who suffers from severe arthritis added: "I'm thinking of putting up a sign on the door saying 'no travellers'. I might be targeted again for speaking out but I don't care, I've had enough. Travellers are not welcome in my shop.
Mrs Lawson has already put a notice on her shop door saying: "We have been targeted by a certain element. These people have stolen from us for the last time.
"This store will only be open to socially acceptable people not those who expect normal people to pay for their existence."
The last theft happened just before 3pm on Friday afternoon. The woman said the dress was for her sister's wedding.
"When I was at the till I saw her bend down, give something to the girl and she screwed it up tight.
"It's really upsetting. I'm struggling as it is and I cannot afford to let these dresses go. They are putting me out of business.
"The people who do this are very sneaky. They have no social graces and no conscience. They send their kids in to steal.
"I just wish they would stay away. I've got very bad arthritis so there's very little I can do."
In April, two identical, fuchsia pink gowns worth £229 each were stolen in the same week. And about two months ago a £70 corset was taken.
Mrs Lawson, who has sold designer wear for special occasions from the shop for 15 years, said: "Four of them came in that day and the lady did actually buy a dress but one of the girls with her stole the corset.
"I had some contact details so I rang her up and said if you get the girl to bring the corset back I won't take the matter any further. A girl aged about 18 or 19 brought it back and put it on the counter, but travellers came back three days later and it was gone for good."
Mrs Lawson has resorted to keeping the door to her shop locked so customers have to ring the bell, and is going to get CCTV cameras installed.
The woman who stole the dress on Friday was quite large, wore short denim shorts, a white T-shirt, and had black hair with blonde roots. She was about 5ft 6in tall.
The man had short, mousy brown hair, weighed about 18 or 19 stone and was about 5ft 9in tall.
Avon and Somerset police are investigating. Anyone who can help catch the culprits should call the police on 0845 4567000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
39 Comments
View all
by Apples, bristol
Thursday, May 28 2009, 9:32AM
“John, ( Bristol) - your making it sound like it is acceptable for theese people or any people to steal from others- STOP playing the racist card - its boring- this ladie is working hard at trying to make a living- it is NOT acceptable to steal -no matter who your are or what race you are-this isnt about policital correctness its about right from wrong...and rightly protecting whats yours.
I do think though that some sort of security tagging system would be of great benefit”
by John, Bristol
Friday, May 08 2009, 8:11AM
“Shelly. Read the article. Read Susanne's comments prior to her one at 1934. THESE are the comments that lead me to believe she is a racist. As I said in my previous comment, if you'd bothered to read it properly.
I went past the shop this morning. Apparently only 'normal' and 'socially acceptable' people are allowed in there now. How Susanne can tell this just by looking at someone I don't know. Also, quite ironic, given that racists are not socially acceptable. Is she banning herself from her own shop now?She is now a law-breaker, just like the people who stole from her.”
by Shelly, Bristol
Thursday, May 07 2009, 7:38AM
“Go Susanne! You sure know how to argue, don't you? "Get out more". is the sort of thing a 12 year old comes out with. It's a Wednesday night. Where should I be? But you carry on avoiding those awkward questions that would confirm you to be a racist. - John Bristol
Hmmm what about that last line then John...”
by John, Bristol
Thursday, May 07 2009, 6:32AM
“Shelly - I didn't say Susanne's comment at 1934 was racist. Where did I say that? I said her comments in the article, and earlier in the day on these comments pages, were racist and discriminatory. Try to explain to me how a statement like "Irish Travellers ... mostly devoid of social graces and behave with the life motto - 'I didn't work for it, but I'm going to steal from someone who did! " is not racist? Or the fact that she wants to ban an entire race (and yes, Irish travellers are a distinct race under the RRA) because of the actions of a few. Let's try this one then. The Indian man who runs Bargain Booze on Filton Avenue,w ho is having trouble with local youths at his shop. How would you all reactt if he had said, "I'm tempted to put a sign up in my shop saying 'no whites'"? This is what Susanne wants to do.
I like marmite. I don't think everyone who doesn't is a racist. But if you waddle and quack, odds are you're a duck.”
by Shelly, Bristol
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 9:26PM
“Why do racists really hate being called racists? Always confused me, that one. - John, Bristol
Perhaps, John that would be because the vast majority of people are not racist but merely expressing a valid opinion. I would say to you why is it that people who have a differing opinion to yours are automatically labelled as racist?
I am also at a loss as to how Susannes comment at 19.34 can lead you to the conclusion that she is a racist. Bit of a wild leap in the dark isn't it? as bad as assuming that all travellers are thieves perhaps. Be careful John, you are showing yourself up to be just as bad as the so-called racists on here!”
by Frugal, Strictly Primark
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 7:46PM
“£350 for a dress, £70 for a corset...HOW MUCH!!!
Sounds like this very expensive boutique would be better locating to Cabot Circus or Clifton.
Expensive designer boutiques is not normally the first thought one thinks of when the location is Horfield. Kind of like having a branch of Harrods in Hartcliffe or Southmead.”
by Susanne, Lady Chique, Filton Rd, Horfield
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 7:35PM
“Thank you Craig.
A sensible comment.
For the record, my sister and her family emigrated to Connemara Nr Galway four years ago . I too have Irish friends and family members, incl. a nephew and brother in law.
I think this fixation on racism is simply just to get people arguing, some people simply need to get a life.”
by craig, bath
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 7:19PM
“For everyones insanity, can we all stop arguing about this "racist" thing - I think some people are getting too hung up on it. John, leave Suzanne alone, she is getting stuff in her shop nicked by people. White, Black, Irish, Somalian, French.....WHO CARES!!! ???? REALLY WHO CARES where these people come from. it dosent detract from the fact this poor woman is having her stock and her livliehood stolen! It just so happens that the most recent incident involves people with an Irish Accent....tommorow they could be from Scotland, Wales or even good old Bristol. From what I can see. and I think I speak for the majority, Suzanne and the BEP were just stating facts that these people had an Irish Accent and she has been hit by silimar people in the past. And before people say Im being racist, my wife happens to be from Southern Ireland and she feels the same way as me.
So back off all these people who are accusing Suzanne and the BEP of being racist. She isnt so lets just drop it eh!?”
by John, Bristol
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 6:44PM
“Go Susanne! You sure know how to argue, don't you? "Get out more". is the sort of thing a 12 year old comes out with. It's a Wednesday night. Where should I be? But you carry on avoiding those awkward questions that would confirm you to be a racist.”
by Susanne, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 6:34PM
“John
You really need to get out more.”