A business owner insists he will keep posting social media videos of alleged young shoplifters who target his stores.
Saba Mahesh claims the thieves are costing him around £2,000 per month, as they regularly target his four Sheerness stores.
The 52-year-old, who runs 3A’s Wines, Fitch’s Newsagents, SS Convenience Store and SS News in Queensway and the town’s high street, and regularly shares photos and videos of youngsters taking things from his stores.
In one video, an alleged young thief is shown taking an alcoholic BuzzBallz drink out of a fridge before he slips it into his pocket.
In another, two youths are seen fleeing the shop after they are said to have taken items from the front counter.
Mr Mahesh says the social media posts lead to “seven out of ten” parents coming into his store to pay for what their children have taken.
In recent weeks, there has been backlash from the public about his methods.
Comments left on one post, which featured pictures of two boys who were alleged to have stolen soft drinks, said: “I think 90% of kids steal a drink or sweet from a shop and don’t start them off on a life of crime.
“It’s not right, but hardly the crime of the century. [I’m] sure most of these Karens did it when they were younger [and] just forgot.”
Another said: “Putting up ‘kids’ pictures over a poxy cold drink is absolutely insane.”
Mr Mahesh, originally from Surrey, stands by his actions, arguing that he posts the videos because current efforts to address retail theft are insufficient.
He said: “Not everyone is happy with what I post. But I do not agree with what they say. It is rubbish.
“They are taking from my shop, and they are criminals. They have to pay for what they have taken.
“My posts mean parents come in and pay, so the naming and shaming is working.
“I’ve had to put my prices up because it’s costing me £500 per week
“But it’s not just me. Sheerness Co-op, Iceland, and Poundland are all losing thousands of pounds.”
The UK’s data privacy watchdog, Information Commissioner’s Office, has set out guidance for shopkeepers dealing with suspected shoplifters.
A spokesman said: “Retailers will need to consider the relevant privacy implications, such as having a legal reason and appropriate security measures, when considering publishing any images of suspected shoplifters.
“Data protection law enables retailers to share images to prevent or detect crime, as long as it’s necessary and proportionate in the circumstances.
“For example, this could include sharing images with the police, shopping centre security teams, or other relevant authorities.
“We don’t set strict requirements on how organisations should respond to shoplifting, as data protection law recognises that circumstances can vary. Instead, we provide guidance to help organisations use people’s information in a way that is lawful, fair and proportionate.”
Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster says tackling retail crime is a “major focus” for her neighbourhood and town centre police officers, who take shoplifting offences “very seriously”.
She said: “Between August last year and August this year, we received 21 reports of shop theft from three linked retail premises in Sheerness, on High Street and on Queensway.
“As a result of investigations into these reports, seven suspects were charged and three community resolutions were issued.
“Over the past two years, the rate at which officers are solving shop thefts in Swale has continued to increase year-on-year, with 447 solved incidents in August 2025 compared with 391 in August 2023.
“During the same period, the number of shoplifting suspects interviewed has increased with 433 suspect interviews taking place in the year to August 2025, compared with 416 in the year to August 2023.
“We fully understand the impact that shop theft has on businesses and I would like to encourage retailers to report all incidents to us, as soon as possible and via the appropriate channels, so that we can respond promptly and deal with offenders robustly.”
