They weren’t prepared to help me

I had my phone stolen from my handbag one afternoon whilst shopping at the Lifestyle Centre.
I was browsing various clothing stores and upon leaving Mr. Price clothing, a well-dressed lady approached me to ask for directions to Clicks. She was rather up close and I pointed her in the direction of Clicks but then noticed that she went in the opposite direction.
Later I realised my phone was gone and it dawned on me what had happened. The lady asking for directions lifted my phone from my bag. So I set off to find her, and found her sitting at Mugg and Bean  and confronted her. I asked the duty manager to call security and they subsequently arrived. Needless to say this escalated into a debacle.
The staff member on duty at Mugg and Bean was primarily concerned that my confrontation was causing embarrassment. I asked him and security officers several times to call the police.
I asked that we all go to the security office where the matter could be addressed. When the woman refused to come to the security office I was told “I was making his customer uncomfortable”.
My request again to call the police and was brushed off with “Do you have any evidence?” to which of course I had to reply “No”.
The police were never called, the security guards just stood there. I left, realising that I was not going to get any assistance!
Maybe she is not involved, maybe I made a mistake, but since no one cared to find out I guess these rogues are still out there.
MARINA CLASSENS
Ballito
Letter shortened – Editor.

Lifestyle Centre Manager Mark Pearse responds:
Lifestyle Security works closely with its tenants and customers to ensure that the safest possible shopping experience can be rendered. However crimes in this category are opportunistic and we urge all customers to be alert and vigilant against these transgressors.
In this particular incident in question, Security followed up in carrying out their standard procedures, but were not able to make any arrest and  call the SAPS, merely on the basis of suspicion. However – if Mrs Classens is not satisfied with how  the incident was dealt with, we are more than happy to further engage with her.