Greggs’ boss rules out shutting shops in theft hotspots despite being targeted by repeat offenders

GREGGS’ boss has ruled out shutting shops in theft hotspots despite some being targeted by repeat offenders. 

The Sun’s investigations have shown how thieves have been stealing baguettes, sandwiches and drinks en masse — with some stores suffering a hit every 20 minutes. 

6

6

But chief executive Roisin Currie yesterday said the chain is working on deterrent measures. 

Some stores are trialling serving customers over counters instead of using self-service fridges, which make it easy for thieves to grab and dash. 

Greggs is also working with CCTV and other tech to identify and register offenders and alert cops. 

Ms Currie said: “We are seeing arrests as a result.” 

The chain is also working with other retailers and local councils to provide “roving security” across high streets. 

Ms Currie said while the shoplifting looks “significant”, the financial losses to Greggs were “not a big number”.

She refused to disclose the cost to the business, which is thought to be low due to the relatively small value of items compared with other stores. 

Ms Currie said: “My preference is we don’t have this situation, but we have lots of locations where there isn’t this problem at all.

“There are hotspots.” 

She insisted there is “lots more in our armoury” to tackle shoplifters before giving up on a store and closing.

The bakery chain had been criticised for not doing more to tackle thieves. 

The boss’s comments came as Greggs sales rose by 2.9 per cent in the first 20 weeks of the year. 

Shares in the business jumped by almost 10 per cent as investors were delighted that growth had picked up after a warning two months ago that nervy consumers had resulted in softer sales. 

Voda’s £1.5bn serve 

Vodafone prepares to court new customers after announcing a £1.5billion investment this year to upgrade UK networks and improve phone signals. 

The telecoms firm — which has Brit tennis ace Jack Draper as an ambassador — is edging closer to a UK merger with Three.

6

6

Vodafone said the investment means it will have the “best network and the largest customer base in mobile”. 

The pledge comes as boss Margherita Della Valle said the company would soon return to profit after posting an operating loss of £346million last year.

It was knocked in Germany — its biggest market — after a law change meant it could no longer bundle phone, broadband and TV services for rental tenants.

But Ms Della Valle says she has “transformed” Vodafone, partly through a sell-off of its Italian and Spanish businesses. 

P.O. leak cash on Horizon 

Hundreds of former subpostmasters will be compensated by the Post Office after it accidentally leaked the names and addresses of victims in the Horizon IT scandal. 

The private limited company will pay individuals either £5,000 or £3,500, depending on whether they were living at the address leaked at the time, while higher claims may be pursued in “special cases”. 

6

It comes after the Post Office last year accidentally published on its corporate website the personal details of 555 victims wrongfully prosecuted for theft and fraud over IT glitches. 

The law firm acting for the subpostmasters said there was still “a long way to go to ­recognise the devastating breach for those affected”. 

The Information Commissioner’s Office is still investigating the incident, and could levy a multi-million-pound fine on the Post Office for compromising people’s data. 

Interest in saving 

A new arrival in UK banking is today launching a basic ­current account with a market-leading interest rate. 

Estonia’s LHV Bank, which got a banking licence here in 2023, will offer 1 per cent less than the Bank of England base rate, meaning customers will get 3.25 per cent on their ­savings up to £100,000. 

Kris Brewster, retail director, said that it was an account “without gimmicks that makes it far easier for people to save and earn”. 

Musk: I’m at Tesla til death 

Billionaire Elon Musk said he will be boss of Tesla for the next five years, but added: “Unless I die.” 

The tech chief, who has led the EV firm since 2008, has come under intense scrutiny amid his controversial move into politics, with some investors calling for him to step back. 

6

Critics have argued that his role with President Trump has led to Tesla’s first drop in sales in more than a decade.

Some consumers have boycotted the brand over Mr Musk’s views. 

But his renewed commitment to Tesla lifted its share price yesterday. 

The world’s wealthiest man, worth hundreds of billions of dollars, said he would pull back from political spending in the future, saying at the Qatar Economic Forum: “I think I’ve done enough.” 

Mr Musk also said he had already “turned around” Tesla, and noted that its weakest ­market was in Europe. 

---

The owner of bakery chain Upper Crust is ramping up cuts amid global “uncertainty”.

SSP said it will push back a listing of its Indian business until later in the summer due to market volatility.

Half-year operating profits rose 20 per cent to £45million. 

---

Warning on early rate cut 

The Bank of England’s chief economist has said he believes interest rates are being cut “too fast of late”, raising concerns about inflation returning. 

Huw Pill, who voted to keep rates unchanged earlier this month, said he was concerned that wage and price inflation will remain “higher for longer”. 

In a speech yesterday, Mr Pill said he thought rates should have been higher, and that the Bank had cut them “slightly too early” last year. 

He has stressed that the Bank should be “cautious and gradual” about any interest rate cuts going forward. 

Inflation figures which are being published today are expected to show a sharp jump in the rate of price increases as a result of higher water and utility bills.