SHOPS in Hereford are being "hit hard" by youths copying a TikTok trend, the group representing businesses has warned.
Hereford Business Improvement District (BID) said shops in the city had been badly affected by youngsters stealing.
On Saturday (April 9), one business had deterred 15 shoplifters by midday, Hereford BID said.
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The methods are being referred to as "borrowing" on the social media app and involve hiding items up sleeves and even in takeaway drinks cups.
It warned shops to research the trend by searching "borrowing" on TikTok, which saw a surge in popularity during the first Covid lockdown.
Hereford BID says the videos are "openly providing tutorials on this method of shoplifting".
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It also encouraged shops to continue reporting crimes to the police.
Borrowing is not the first TikTok trend to cause problems in Hereford, with West Mercia Police previously warning that "beaning" was affecting households.
That particularly trend sees food, baked beans in particular, thrown at homes and cars.
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