A Broughty Ferry shop owner has been left “overwhelmed” by support from locals after an alleged theft left her “angry and upset”.
Ann Annandale posted CCTV footage on Facebook apparently showing a woman stealing a top from her fashion boutique KarenB this week.
The footage shows a middle-aged woman browsing several items of clothes in the empty Brook Street shop on Wednesday.
She then grabs a top from the rack, before looking around and quickly stuffing the item underneath her jacket.
The rest of the footage then shows her slowly walking out of the store.
Ms Annandale said the hundreds of messages expressing support for her on social media have left her taken aback.
She said: “I was very upset and angry by the incident and I have been completely overwhelmed by the support we’ve been shown.
“I decided to share the CCTV footage of our recent theft to make other shop owners aware and so they can be on their guard and hopefully prevent the same thing happening again.
“The video is conclusive and clearly shows the top being stolen.
“If anyone happens to know the perpetrator’s name please do not post the name online but please do send a private message to our page or call the police directly on 101.”
Hundreds of people have shared the video and voiced outrage at the alleged crime.
Amanda Soutar said: “This makes me so angry.
“Small businesses trying to make a living and this happens, hopefully you get her.”
Elaine Faulkner Mills said: “Makes me mad seeing this, these people have no idea the damage it can do to a small business. Hope she’s caught.”
However, others raised concern that posting the video publicly was the wrong thing to do.
Beth McDonough said: “I’m not justifying her behaviour, and I appreciate how upset you must be…but is this not really something for the police?
“I’d worry that a member of the public might say something to someone who looks like this woman, or that the perpetrator might have underlying issues.
“I know that may sound a bit woolly, but we have judicial processes for a reason…so I’m not comfortable with this, just in case…”
Nobody from Police Scotland was available for comment.
