A BUSINESS owner has spoken out after more than £800 worth of stock was stolen from his shop when a gang of six people distracted and tricked him.
Robert Birkinshaw, 66, was left upset over Christmas when £830 worth of meat was stolen from his butcher’s shop, C Birkinshaw, in Mapplewell.
Robert, who also lives in Mapplewell, is now urging other independent retailers to keep their wits about them after he turned his back on a customer who turned out to be a trickster with five accomplices.
“At that time of year, our resources are stretched to the limit,” he said.
“Last year I was approached by an Irish speaking man who cajoled me into providing and cooking a turkey as he had no cooking facilities.
“He duly came, paid and collected it, expressing many thanks and appreciation.
“Roll on a year and this same person contacted me again with the same story.”
Robert said the he reluctantly agreed but after that he was contacted again by the man who begged him to do the same for five other family members.
The order included six 20 lbs turkeys and four hams, all of which had been prepared and cooked, along with accompaniments
“I was beginning to realise there was a large amount of money involved and was regretting my decision,” he said.
Robert explained that when the man came to pick up the turkeys, five others turned up and surrounded him while he sorted out the orders. The orders began disappearing to their cars one by one. When Robert then turned his back, they ran off with the final two.
He said: “I was starting to feel vulnerable but I had another staff member with me. He was walking around with a handful of £20 notes so I assumed he was going to pay me.”
Robert has run the butcher’s shop for 40 years and has said that this is the first time an incident like this has happened.
He said: “This was my mistake, turning my back on the two of them, they then ran off. They disappeared into thin air. I thought at my age I was prepared for something like this but obviously I was not. I did of course report this theft to the police who were looking into it.
“I believe this is a scam that has been practised before as they distracted me. I want to warn other businesses to trust their instincts and be careful around the resourcefulness and experienced criminality of some people.”
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said officers were investigating the incident and enquiries remain ongoing.
“At around 11.30am on Monday December 24, it is reported that five men and a young boy entered a butcher’s on Greenside Barnsley, having previously ordered over £800 worth of goods,” the spokesman said.
“The men then took the items without paying and left the shop.
“Enquiries are ongoing to identify those involved and anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference number 14/186795/18.”
