Islington Tribune - by HANNAH KUCHLER Published: 4 April 2008
Bag thefts causing a big stir at Starbucks
AN online petition has been launched over a claim that one bag is stolen every day at the Highbury Corner Starbucks coffee shop. Lib Dem councillor Laura Willoughby has set up the petition as part of a campaign to urge Starbucks to improve its security, and warn customers of the danger of thefts.
The petition demands Starbucks install CCTV. It also calls on the coffee shop to work with the local police Safer Neighbourhoods team to tackle the high number of bag thefts.
Cllr Willoughby, who represents the Highbury East ward, presented the petition at a council meeting last night (Thursday).
She said: “Starbucks should do something to protect its staff and visitors from what is obviously sustained and co-ordinated theft.”
A Starbucks spokeswoman said there has been a record of only one incident involving the report of a stolen handbag in the past six months. A police spokesman said that since April 1 2007 they have received six reports of bags being stolen from Starbucks in Highbury Corner.