A VAPE shop has resorted to using a jewellers-style buzzer system to prevent yobs terrorising staff and stealing handfuls of stock. 

Bosses at Pitsea Vaping, on Station Lane, claim they have been repeatedly targeted by gangs of teenagers for the last month with staff being taunted, harassed and physically intimated. 

They claim a gang of youths - some as young as 13 - are repeatedly harassing staff and stealing handfuls of vaping products at a time before fleeing.  

Staff have been subjected to weeks of harassment and intimidationStaff have been subjected to weeks of harassment and intimidation (Image: George Pizani)

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The owner of the store has now had a defunct security system, installed when the unit housed an airsoft shop selling replica firearms, reconnected to protect his staff and products.

Customers must now ring a bell and be buzzed in and out of the small shop.

Shop assistant, Claire James, said the teenagers began visiting the shop just before the October half term, but as they were underage, she would refuse to sell to them and ask them to leave. 

 

Customers must now be buzzed into the shopCustomers must now be buzzed into the shop (Image: George Pizani)

 

 

Pitsea Vaping is located on Station LanePitsea Vaping is located on Station Lane (Image: George Pizani)


However, they returned and have been forcibly stealing products. 

“They came back a week after half term and I intercepted them at the door and told them they could not come in,” Claire said. 

“One of them puffed out his tummy and started pushing me back and as I stepped back he reached out and snatched some vape pods from a display.”

Following the incident, Claire and her colleagues have been subjected to regular visits from the yobs, who often swear, taunt and tease the shop staff.

Claire said: “After one incident I even had a customer sit outside to essentially guard me for an hour, and have even asked my boyfriend to do the same.

“It sounds silly but I even feel scared out of work. When I’m at the bus stop I’m constantly scanning around for them.”

Claire describes the existence of the previously unused security buzzer as an easy solution, but said other shops are likely less equipped to deal with the issue.

“I’ve spoken to other shops around here who have also had the same group of kids targeting them, and nothing seems to be done,” she said.