A Bournemouth shopkeeper has captured CCTV footage of children as young as five stealing from his corner shop whilst wearing balaclavas, with their parents apparently waiting outside and rewarding successful thefts. The incidents highlight a concerning pattern where young children are being encouraged to shoplift, raising questions about child welfare and parental responsibility.

Erdogan Yigitoglu, 52, who has run the shop for 19 years, reports losing thousands of pounds annually to theft. The filmed thefts involved goods worth up to £120, including chocolate bars and disposable barbecues. Mr Yigitoglu says he has found that publicly sharing CCTV footage on social media has been effective in reducing crime, with approximately half of those caught returning to apologise and pay for items.