PHONE shops in high risk areas have been forced to lock their doors to customers after a spate of armed robberies by organised crime gangs.
O2 has confirmed a ‘locked door’ policy is now in place at a number of high street stores across the country in response to the terrifying raids – including Richmond in south-west London, The Strand in central London and St Albans, Herts.
O2 has confirmed a ‘locked door’ policy is now in place at a number of high street stores across the country[/caption]
The move is in response to the terrifying raids – including Richmond in south-west London, The Strand in central London and St Albans, Herts[/caption]
Instead of just walking into the shops, customers now have to knock on the door and be let in by a security guard[/caption]
Instead of just walking into the shops, customers now have to knock on the door and be let in by a security guard.
The Sun found staff at the shop in St Albans on Friday were operating a one in one out system, only allowing up to three members of the public in at a time.
According to a source, they were forced to bring in these measures after two terrifying robberies which left staff members fearing for their lives.
They said: “At the end of February we had an attempted robbery. Three guys came in and tried to force their way into the store room.
“I saw them, all with their faces covered, out of the corner of my eye and I thought I was done for.
“We suspected they had a weapon and they were trying to force staff back there to open the door – the police came that time and they didn’t manage to take anything.
“A few months before in October the shop was actually robbed, they took thousands of pounds worth of phones.
“There were two customers in the shop at the time, and because of the threats and the suspected weapon it was decided that the door would be locked.
“No one should come into work and be scared they’re going to be stabbed over a phone – no one wants to lose their life over just a phone.
“It has affected trade a little, but you know now all the people coming in have the intention to buy and it makes staff feel safer while helping them so I think it’s worth it.”
In May, the O2 shop in Richmond was targeted by two armed men, with one swiftly arrested by police.
Just a few months before in February, the same shop was raided by armed thieves who forced staff into the store room and made off with a number of mobiles.
An O2 spokesperson said: “In response to a growing number of thefts at stores in certain areas, we have introduced a ‘locked door’ policy at a small proportion of our stores, including in St Albans.
“These stores remain fully open for our customers, and the only difference they will experience is that instead of opening the door themselves, it will be opened for them by a security guard.
“This decision has been taken to prioritise the safety of both our employees and our customers, as well as the security of our stock.
“We are working closely with law enforcement, and with other providers who are facing similar issues, to tackle this problem.”
