Shop worker caught red-handed (From The Argus)

Shop worker caught red-handed

11:38am Monday 3rd December 2007 in

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A thieving shop worker was caught red-handed when her bosses brought in a security firm to catch her in the act.

The woman was left covered in ultra-violet dye and was caught by an undercover CCTV camera when she crept back in at night to help herself to cash.

She was arrested and cautioned after the shop called police.

Derek Berman, manager of Deja Shoes, contacted the organisers of Brighton and Hove's Business Improvement District for help after noticing money going missing over a six-month period.

They put him in touch with the Security and Safety Solutions Company, Sassco, which patrols the BID area.

The firm hatched a plan to catch the culprit.

Sassco painted the shop's banknotes with ultra-violet dye and set up a CCTV camera to monitor the office.

They filmed the woman as she stole £180.

Security guards were able to see what was happening in the shop in George Street, Hove, on monitors in their office in Madeira Drive, Brighton.

When she was confronted by police her hands still carried traces of the ultra-violet dye.

She was given a caution for burglary and was sacked from her job.

Mr Berman thanked Sassco for their help.

He said: "They were very good. We obviously appreciated their involvement.

"They have done very well in sorting this out.

"We are really grateful for the work BIDS do in and around the town."

A police spokeswoman said: "Over the past few weeks the owners had suspicions that a member of staff was stealing money.

"They set up their own CCTV in the office area.

"On Friday November 23 the shop closed at 6pm and the following morning they found someone had been in the shop overnight.

"CCTV showed this employee had been in the shop and had taken £180 from the safe.

"£150 in banknotes was recovered and returned to the shop."

The woman was let off with a caution because of her good character in the past.

Police decided there was not enough evidence to convict her of any previous burglaries.

Sassco operations manager Lee Craig told The Argus he is happy to hear from any firms with security problems.

He said: "We have got ex-police, ex-military staff.

"There is a lot of knowledge and skill here.

"We are here to help and support and do the best we can."

To contact Sassco call 08707 666999.