ITV’s This Morning Sparks Debate Over Interview with Former Teen Shoplifter Turned Security Expert.
Retail Crime in the UK: The Cost to Communities and How Catch a Thief UK ls Fighting Back
ITV's This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley recently faced some backlash for featuring Farrah McNutt, founder of Catch a Thief UK, on their show. Farrah, who was a teenage shoplifter at just 13 years old, has since transformed her life and is now a crime prevention expert and digital creator. While some viewers criticised the segment, many praised her for using her past experiences to help businesses and communities prevent and detect crime.
The Impact of Retail Crime on Our Communities
Retail crime has reached alarming levels across the UK, with incidents of theft, violence, and abuse occurring daily. These crimes cost retailers and communities billions of pounds each year, forcing many independent businesses to close and leaving significant gaps in local communities.
The rise in retail crime not only affects business owners but also leads to job losses, reduced investment in local areas, and a decline in public safety. Independent shopkeepers, already struggling with economic challenges, are hit hardest by repeat thefts and anti-social behaviour.
How Catch a Thief UK Is Helping Businesses and Communities
Farrah McNutt founded Catch a Thief UK in 2014, using her insights from her troubled past to create cutting-edge security solutions. The organisation offers a range of services designed to deter and detect retail crime, including:
AI-powered theft detection technology
In-house Facial Recognition
GDPR and UK Home Office compliant) Body-Worn Video Cameras
Audio Warning Announcement Systems
Public Appeals for crime prevention and detection
Security Advice
Catch a Thief UK has been widely recognised across the security and retail sectors for its innovative approach, gaining thousands of supporters and followers online.
Backlash Against This Morning’s Interview
Several media outlets, including the Daily Express, Wales Online, Yahoo News UK, Yahoo Life UK and the Daily Mirror, highlighted negative reactions from some viewers on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). However, a review of This Morning’s official X account by Catch a Thief UK did not find any such posts. Instead, comments on This Morning’s YouTube channel presented a mix of both positive and negative opinions.
Many viewers praised Farrah’s transformation, with one saying:
"This just shows everyone can make a change in a positive way, no matter how many mistakes we made in the past. Thank you for sharing your story. Wish you nothing but success in life."
Another viewer commented:
"This girl is amazing. Watch her Catch a Thief videos—she gets it spot on!"
Farrah McNutt’s Professional Recognition
Despite the controversy, Farrah’s work has earned respect in both the security and retail industries. She currently holds a non-frontline SIA Licence regulated by the UK Home Office and has made multiple TV appearances, including:
BBC News
BBC Midlands Today
BBC East Midlands Today
BBC's Frontline Fight Back
The BBC One Show
ITV Anglian Cambridgeshire
ITV National News
ITV News London
Good Morning Britain
Channel 5’s Shoplifters and Scammers: At War with the Law
Channel 5's Shoplifters Caught Red Handed
Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch
BBC Radio Leicester
BBC Radio London
The Times Radio
Hermitage FM Leicestershire
BRMG Radio Birmingham
Foss 107 Radio Leicester
Talk TV Radio
The Birmingham Live
The Sun
The Daily Mirror
The Evening Standard
The Wandsworth Times
The Times Newspaper
The Daily Mail
The Daily Express
Bromsgrove Advertiser
Yahoo Life UK
Yahoo News UK
Wales Online
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, Farrah does not have a criminal record, as she was a minor at the time and has never reoffended.
Farrah has over recent years been invited to talk at major security and retail events up and down the UK such as The Professional Security Officers event at The Security Event at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre and retail events such as Retailers Against Crime in Scotland chaired by Maxine Frazer and also attended and talked at the Retail Best conference by Moiz Vas and has now partnerd with Fuel Guardian protecting retail petrol forecourts across the UK.
It doesn't stop there, Farrah has also appeared on retail podcast with Paul Bessant's from Retail Knowledge and Professor Emily Taylor PHD pod cast, Retail Crime Uncovered. Farrah was also invited to talk at a conference in London organised by Professor Martin Gill.
Supporting Businesses and the Public
Farrah’s mission with Catch a Thief UK is clear: to support retailers and members of the public in the fight against crime. If you are struggling with retail crime, contact Catch a Thief UK for expert guidance.
For more information on Catch a Thief UK’s services, visit Farrah’s Professional LinkedIn profile here.
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