O2 phone shops in high risk areas locking their doors after spate of armed robberies by crime gangs
PHONES LOCKED O2 phone shops in high risk areas locking their doors after spate of armed robberies by crime gangs
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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.
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O2 has confirmed a 'locked door' policy is now in place at a number of high street stores across the country
Credit: Andrew Styczynski
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The move is in response to the terrifying raids - including Richmond in south-west London, The Strand in central London and St Albans, Herts
Credit: Andrew Styczynski
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Instead of just walking into the shops, customers now have to knock on the door and be let in by a security guard
Credit: Andrew Styczynski
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.'
Moment phone snatcher receives instant karma as he's knocked off his bike by furious Londoners
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.'
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Scottish Sun
36 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
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Advertisement 14 Little Haven in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, where evil John Cooper murdered husband and wife Peter and Gwenda Dixon Credit: WNS 14 Peter and Gwenda, from Oxfordshire, were murdered while walking the coastal path near Little Haven in 1989 Credit: Enterprise 14 Notorious serial killer John Cooper was finally jailed in 2011 Credit: WNS The 1989 incident became known as the Pembrokeshire Murders or the Coastal Murders, and Cooper himself the Bullseye Killer because he'd appeared on the TV show weeks before. Four years earlier, at a farmhouse just six miles away in Milford Haven, he had also murdered siblings Richard and Helen Thomas. Advertisement He infamously evaded justice for around two decades but was finally convicted of all four murders thanks to advancements in forensic techniques - and given a whole life order in 2011. Cooper was arrested in 2009, just weeks after being released early from prison for other crimes. 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He said: 'They asked me to keep it under my hat so I didn't scupper a potentially significant line of enquiry and I reluctantly agreed to keep quiet about it, not least because I felt I owed it to my local community. "I didn't want to write anything that might prevent the police from finding the killer." Advertisement 14 Cooper was given a whole life order in 2011 for the two double killings Credit: Wales News Service 14 A sawn off shotgun used by the killer Credit: Dragon News 14 Local landlord Andy Grey Credit: WNS Reflecting on the impact Cooper had on the community in Pembrokeshire, Howard, now 63, said: 'I think the fact that his poor, long-suffering wife, Patricia, died of a heart attack in the bath the night Cooper was released from jail in 2008 for a string of other hideous crimes says everything about what kind of man he is. "The stress of him returning to live with her literally killed her.' Advertisement Detective Chief Superintendant Steve Wilkins - played by Hollywood actor Luke Evans in miniseries The Pembrokeshire Murders in 2021 - previously spoke to WalesOnline about what happened to Patricia. He said: "She'd had 10 years away from this man who was an absolute beast and suddenly he was back in the house. She had massive heart conditions but I think the poor lady just gave up.' He said there was "nothing" linking her death to her husband, but recalled getting a call at 3am from the control room telling him Cooper had just phoned up to say his wife was dead. Det Ch Supt Wilkins added: "You can imagine what went through my mind. But she had three different heart conditions that would've killed her. There was nothing suspicious in it." She'd had 10 years away from this man who was an absolute beast and suddenly he was back in the house. She had massive heart conditions but I think the poor lady just gave up. 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It seems so completely incongruous that something so awful happened in a place like this, with all its natural beauty and peace and charm." 14 An elderly couple walk on the coastal path very close to where the Dixons were murdered Credit: WNS 14 Jan was visiting the village during our trip Credit: WNS Advertisement 14 A police photofit sketch of John Cooper released by police after the Dixon murders Credit: Rex Cooper was only arrested after Senior Investigating Officer Steve Wilkins was put in charge of a cold case review of the Pembrokeshire murders in 2005. Advances in DNA and forensic evidence meant that when police finally questioned Cooper, they were able to link a gun used in a robbery he had been convicted of to the murder weapon used to kill the Dixons. Just weeks earlier, Cooper had mentioned his love of the Pembrokeshire coast during his appearance on Bullseye. 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The Sun
an hour ago
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
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Scroll to find out more about the newly launched range aisle take it Aldi's new tech range launches TODAY – including 'ingenious' £5 gadget that will keep pets fed & watered while on hols Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALDI'S new tech range has launched today - with an 'ingenious' £5 gadget to help keep pets fed and watered while on holiday. The supermarket's brand new Life Hacks range is designed for simple solutions in daily tasks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Aldi's new Pet Auto Waterer or Feeder Credit: Aldi 3 The device makes sure animals get their sustenance while owners are away Credit: Getty Aldi's brand new tech range Stock in this range is limited, as it is part of Aldi's Specialbuys programme. This includes the Pet Auto Waterer or Feeder, which comes in at £5.99 altogether. It uses auto-gravity design with non-slip rubber bases to ensure pets remain fed and hydrated while owners are away. Conversely, the Robot Vacuum Cleaner is the most expensive, at £99.99. The flashy device combines suction, sweeping and mopping functions. This tech can be controlled through a smartphone app - and is also compatible with Google, Alexa and Siri voice assistants. Users can activate the device through voice command, as well as schedule cleaning sessions remotely. Aldi described the Robot Vacuum Cleaner as "the ultimate cleaning hack for busy bees with limited time for the everyday burdens." Priced at £29.99, the Smart Kettle can be switched on remotely from bed - thanks to control via Bluetooth and WiFi. It also boasts impressive temperature control from 40°C to 100°C, along with a "keep warm" capability. Beloved grocery chain 'better than Costco' to open new store as part of expansion after buying closed Winn-Dixie site The Life Hacks range also includes a Wireless Charging Clock for £14.99 and a Mini Thermal Printer from £9.99. Rounding it out are a Smart Adapter and Fake Safe Assortment, each priced at £6.99. Aldi also launched a bedding bargain Elsewhere, the supermarket is selling a £15 bedroom essential intended to keep you cool during warm nights. Aldi's Always Cool Duvet hits shelves from July 10 and is available in a double size for £14.99 and king size for £16.99. The 4.5 tog polyester duvet is designed with moisture-wicking technology to absorb sweat and help to regulate body heat for a more comfortable night's sleep. The product can be found in Aldi's middle aisle, and comes as Brits are set to sizzle in more scorching temperatures of up to 31C this weekend. It's also a whopping £38 cheaper than John Lewis' summer duvet. The retailer's Climate Control Duvet, which is also 4.5 tog and uses similar sweat-wicking technology, costs £55 for a king size.
