Edinburgh Bookshop Devastated After CCTV Captures Shocking Theft During Closing Time

A community-favourite independent bookshop in Edinburgh has been left devastated following a brazen theft that occurred just as staff members were preparing to close up for the evening. The shocking incident was captured entirely on the shop's security cameras, showing the perpetrator committing the crime in broad daylight.

According to the owners, the incident took place during the busy weekend trade on Sunday, 22 June 2025. As employees were finalizing the end-of-day administrative duties and locking the main doors, an individual managed to slip inside or reach past the counter area to steal valuable shop goods and cash reserves. The speed and stealth of the crime have left the staff shaken and deeply upset.

The CCTV footage, which has since been shared online in an attempt to identify the suspect, shows a clear view of the individual. Store representatives expressed their dismay on social media, writing about how hard local independent businesses work and how disheartening it is to fall victim to such crimes. Police Scotland have been contacted and are currently reviewing the security footage as part of their ongoing investigation.

Community members have quickly rallied around the bookstore, offering words of support and sharing the CCTV stills across local community groups. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Police Scotland by calling 101, quoting the relevant crime reference numbers.