Wool shop's anger over thieves who steal clothing made by pensioner as she cares for sick husband

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Knit ‘N’ Purl, in the Market Place in South Shields, is making changes in the hope of deterring thieves after a spate of incidents where items handknitted have been stolen.

They include a number made by a pensioner who makes them as takes time out from looking after her husband, who has dementia, handing them on to make cash.

The wool and haberdashery shop, owned by Susan Harris and run with the help of her daughter Jacqueline Brown, said they would be changing the set up of the business to help deter thieves.

Susan Harris and daughter Jacqueline Brown from Knit 'N' Purl are angry over thieves stealing hand knitted baby clothes and blankets.

It is thought the items, including baby clothes, blankets and cardigans, have then been sold on, including online.

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"This lady does it to relax and it’s such a good thing for mindfulness, it really is,” said Jacqueline.

"They have been taking someone else's hard work.

Susan Harris and daughter Jacqueline Brown from Knit 'N' Purl have made changes to their shop following a number of thefts.

"It’s upsetting to see someone steal someone’s stuff.

"It’s happened a few times, where we realise garments have been taken from the rails.

“Over these last months, and we're only a small business, we’ve had coronavirus and we really feel the impact of something like this.

"We’ve had this shop for 12 years but it’s been here for 30 years and the people who had it before us had it for 26 years.

"It’s a long time and it’s a good business, we’ve got some lovely customers, they feel like friends to us.”

The business has decided not to call in the police over the thefts.

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