Watch: Two sales staff detain man stealing Wolverhampton shop's card machine - only for police to let him go
A leading businessman has spoken of his disappointment at the police response after two members of his staff detained a man who snatched his company's card machine - only for officers to let him go.
Henry Carver, managing director of Carvers Building Supplies in Wolverhampton, criticised the 'pitiful' response from police after two members of his sales team gave chase to a man who stole the card machine from the counter of his store.
But police say that a member of staff agreed that the offence could be dealt with by means of a 'community resolution', which included a ban on him returning to the store.
Mr Carver said he had since discovered that contactless card machines machines were often used by organised crime gangs to steal card details from people in crowded public places such as trains or buses.
He said the theft took place on Wednesday last week (September 3), at 7.07am.
The man, dressed in a high-visibility vest, snatched the machine off a counter, and ran for the exit. He was chased by two members of the sales team, who apprehend him in the car park, and bring him back into the store, where they are assisted by colleagues.
Mr Carver said the man was detained for 30-40 minutes until police arrived.
"An officer arrived, took his name and address, and said because he had no criminal record he could go," he said.
"He was not arrested or charged, and I'm still awaiting my crime reference number.
"It was a rather pitiful response from the police.
"They didn't even interview him, ask him who he was or why he was doing this."
Mr Carver said he was particularly disappointed as the whole incident was captured on CCTV from numerous cameras around the store.
"I know that people stealing from shops is happening everywhere, but this was not like he had come in and stolen a tape measure," he said.
"This was potentially part of a plan to steal 10s of thousands of pounds from ordinary members of the public."
"The members of staff who detained him were not very happy about it. They are honest people, who work for a living and pay their taxes, and they get a bit fed up when this sort of thing happens.
"They say he had no previous convictions,. but nobody's going to have any convictions if they don't prosecute them."
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called following an attempt to steal a card machine from a business in Littles Lane, Wolverhampton, at just after 7am on 3 September.
"A man was quickly detained by staff until officers arrived.
"The card machine was handed back and it was established the man had no previous convictions.
"It was therefore mutually decided to resolve the matter through a community resolution. This included a ban from entering the premises.
"The aim of community resolutions is to reduce the likelihood of reoffending by encouraging offenders to face up to the impact of their behaviour, and to take responsibility for making good any harm caused."
