Merchant finds mom stealing Jellycat toys to sell on Vinted

The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) estimates that at least three out of five items stolen from its members end up being sold online.

“The industrial scale of this is worrying and it’s certainly fueled by the availability and opportunity and lack of control in online marketplaces,” said BIRA chief executive Andrew Goodacre.

The NPCC told the BBC it wants online marketplace owners to do more to ensure people can’t sell goods through their sites anonymously and would support new laws to force platforms to verify the seller’s identity . The NPCC is also advising bargain-hunting online shoppers to be cautious.

“If you see something that’s a huge discount or cheaper than you could buy it at your local store, then you have to question yourself,” says Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman. “Think about what you’re doing and who you’re buying from. If you’re not sure, report us and let us know.”

Facebook, eBay and Vinted told the BBC they are prohibited from selling stolen items on their platforms – and are working closely with law enforcement to support investigations.

The Home Office told the BBC it would continue to work with police to understand the routes used to sell stolen goods. It also said it would work with online markets to inform what more can be done to tackle the stolen goods market.

In the run-up to Christmas, Charlie Groves says shoplifting remains a “massive problem” for his Dorset garden center business, when gift-related items can easily be sold online.

– It’s not the back of the van anymore.