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| Tower Hamlets: Calpol most shoplifted item in borough | Tower Hamlets: Calpol most shoplifted item in borough |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Almost 40% of residents in Tower Hamlets live in poverty, the report found | Almost 40% of residents in Tower Hamlets live in poverty, the report found |
| Calpol is the most shoplifted item in an east London borough, a council report has revealed. | Calpol is the most shoplifted item in an east London borough, a council report has revealed. |
| Tower Hamlets has seen a sharp increase in thefts, with baby products being stolen more frequently, it noted. | Tower Hamlets has seen a sharp increase in thefts, with baby products being stolen more frequently, it noted. |
| The council published the report looking at food insecurity in the borough, and whether the localised response was effective and sustainable. | The council published the report looking at food insecurity in the borough, and whether the localised response was effective and sustainable. |
| Lutfur Rahman, mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: "Reports of Calpol being stolen from shops are utterly devastating." | Lutfur Rahman, mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: "Reports of Calpol being stolen from shops are utterly devastating." |
| It is one of the poorest London boroughs, with 39% of its residents living in poverty, the council said. | It is one of the poorest London boroughs, with 39% of its residents living in poverty, the council said. |
| 'Not flushing toilet' | 'Not flushing toilet' |
| "The number one shoplifting item according to Safer Neighbourhood Team is Calpol," the report found. | "The number one shoplifting item according to Safer Neighbourhood Team is Calpol," the report found. |
| "Desperation has led to an increase in theft. Shoplifting of essential items and medicine has increased. Theft of essential products for babies is also on the rise." | "Desperation has led to an increase in theft. Shoplifting of essential items and medicine has increased. Theft of essential products for babies is also on the rise." |
| Mr Rahman told BBC London: "It shows how much the cost-of-living crisis is hurting our residents when they cannot afford basic medicines for their children." | Mr Rahman told BBC London: "It shows how much the cost-of-living crisis is hurting our residents when they cannot afford basic medicines for their children." |
| The report also found some residents were taking extreme measures to save money, including skipping meals and not flushing the toilet until they had used it "multiple times". | |
| About half of residents using a food bank in Tower Hamlets are employed | About half of residents using a food bank in Tower Hamlets are employed |
| Bow Food Bank, which is one of the largest in the borough, is now supporting 800 households every week, the report said. | Bow Food Bank, which is one of the largest in the borough, is now supporting 800 households every week, the report said. |
| About 50% of people accessing it were in some form of employment. | About 50% of people accessing it were in some form of employment. |
| Mr Rahman pledged measures to help residents, including free schools meals for primary and secondary school-aged children and committing more than £1m to local food hubs. | Mr Rahman pledged measures to help residents, including free schools meals for primary and secondary school-aged children and committing more than £1m to local food hubs. |
| He added: "As much as we're doing, we are limited as a council. | He added: "As much as we're doing, we are limited as a council. |
| "Central government needs to step up and provide more help to residents, so they are not forced into a situation where they are having to choose between heating and eating, or even stealing, in order to support their families." | "Central government needs to step up and provide more help to residents, so they are not forced into a situation where they are having to choose between heating and eating, or even stealing, in order to support their families." |
| A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "Around 89% of prescriptions are free on the NHS in England. | |
| "Patients with long-term conditions or on a low income can apply for a range of prescription charge exemptions or additional support through the NHS Low Income Scheme. | |
| "Patients can also buy pre-payment certificates to cover all the prescription items they need for just over £2 per week." | |
| The report will be discussed at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting on 24 April. | The report will be discussed at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting on 24 April. |
| Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| London | London |
| Tower Hamlets | Tower Hamlets |
| Tower Hamlets London Borough Council | Tower Hamlets London Borough Council |
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