smash and grab

Shopkeepers say Edinburgh's Royal Mile has become "lawless" with smash-and-grab thieves stealing thousands of pounds' worth of goods in recent months.

They are frustrated with the sense of disorder they see in brazen smash-and-grab robberies and stores locking up everyday goods because of retail theft.

Violent crime surged nationwide early in the COVID-19 pandemic, and viral videos of so-called smash-and-grab robberies at retail stores became staples of nightly news in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Stu Pfeiffer, Hochman’s campaign spokesman, said some of the pastries for the event were provided by Ruben’s Bakery & Mexican Food in Compton, which was destroyed in a smash-and-grab robbery in January by a mob of teens after a street takeover.

She added that she has witnessed numerous smash-and-grab car burglaries last winter and spring.