Shoplifting

[Mathew]

Have you ever stolen anything from a shop? What do you think causes people to commit a crime such as shoplifting? Is it simply seeing an opportunity and jumping at it, or is there a much wider issue at play?

[Samantha]

No I have never shoplifted and I don't think I ever will intentionally. I'm not sure why people shoplift and I remember being in a shop when someone was being accused of shoplifting and I think some do it just because they think they're cool or something of the sort. Of course there could be the obvious reason that they haven't got any money but I just think it's a silly thing to do as you could easily get caught and where would you end up then?

[Richie]

Na. Only time I ever took money that wasn't mind was when I got the wrong change in the shop and didn't say anything (A)

[Seikou]

nah, i'm not the type of person to do that, i'd feel guilty forever haha.

[buttons]

yeah i have when i was younger and i didn't really feel pressured into it as i'd sometimes do it even when my friends didn't know. when i got out the shop though i'd pull out sweets from all over the place and they'd be like "i didn't even see you take that". felt like a pro. to begin with it was because everyone else was doing it and we sort of competed with each other to see who could steal the most. i always stole the least amount, usually eyeliner and lipgloss but some people would literally steal £40 worth of makeup and this was every 2 weeks or so. i never stole anything big but a lot of my friends took perfumes, CLOTHES, food, bottles of vodka once, hair dye etc and it isn't that ******** of "we struggle for food:(" but basically, after a while you learn all the tricks and it is very, very easy to steal. i'm fairly sure some of the workers at shops knew we stole and didn't do anything about which could be part of the problem too. other day i saw a guy steal biscuits and the shop assistant stopped him and asked him to hand it over then let him go. fair enough it was only biscuits but if that's all people get, more people will chance it...

anyway yeah id never do it again and im not bothered if people judge me for it. every single one of us that stole, i know for a fact we probably would never do it again and surprisingly none of us have went down the route of crime and most of us do something with our lives. i like how people think there are certain 'types' of people who do it, even my most goody goody friends stole. not that it makes it any better for us to have done it in the first place.

[Paige.]

every single one of us that stole, i know for a fact we probably would never do it again and surprisingly none of us have went down the route of crime and most of us do something with our lives. i like how people think there are certain 'types' of people who do it, even my most goody goody friends stole. not that it makes it any better for us to have done it in the first place.

i completely agree with this

[wixard]

i see so many people shoplifting every day and there's nothing we can do, with a newsagents or petrol station unless they're a kid you're getting yourself in more trouble than it's worth to make accusations, even if you saw them do it

anyway yeah i steal from my shop a fair bit but sometimes put the money in the till when I remember

[lawrawrrr]

by accident i've forgotten to pay for drinks or crisps at greggs, cos the desk thing is under the counter they can't see!

i've also accidentally taken books and a top from a CHARITY shop cos i put them in my canvas bag (cos no baskets) but i did go back the next day and paid for them :)

and i take things from the bookshop i work in now... but im kinda allowed to!

[MissAlice]

Shoplifting is a huge crime, I remember watching a programme where regular recognised shoplifters were caught on surveillance cameras in Marks & Spencers. They would then exchange the items at another Marks & Spencers store. They were eventually caught. It’s a way of living for this type of person.

For others I reckon it’s just an opportunity and they go for it, the thrill I guess of not being caught! We only have to look at the looting in London, many came from wealthy homes, yet the opportunity was there for them to steal.

Sadly there will always be those who are desperate for food, and I do sympathize, even though I do believe stealing is wrong.

Imagine you were building up your own first business, a clothes stall, and everyday 2 items from your stall were taken. How would you feel?

[dbgtz]

i see so many people shoplifting every day and there's nothing we can do, with a newsagents or petrol station unless they're a kid you're getting yourself in more trouble than it's worth to make accusations, even if you saw them do it

anyway yeah i steal from my shop a fair bit but sometimes put the money in the till when I remember

What sort of trouble? Like just arguing with the guy or the likelyhood of being sacked?


by accident i've forgotten to pay for drinks or crisps at greggs, cos the desk thing is under the counter they can't see!

i've also accidentally taken books and a top from a CHARITY shop cos i put them in my canvas bag (cos no baskets) but i did go back the next day and paid for them :)

and i take things from the bookshop i work in now... but im kinda allowed to!

Did you tell them you accidentally took the items or just act as if you just picked the items?


Shoplifting is a huge crime, I remember watching a programme where regular recognised shoplifters were caught on surveillance cameras in Marks & Spencers. They would then exchange the items at another Marks & Spencers store. They were eventually caught. It’s a way of living for this type of person.

For others I reckon it’s just an opportunity and they go for it, the thrill I guess of not being caught! We only have to look at the looting in London, many came from wealthy homes, yet the opportunity was there for them to steal.

Sadly there will always be those who are desperate for food, and I do sympathize, even though I do believe stealing is wrong.

Imagine you were building up your own first business, a clothes stall, and everyday 2 items from your stall were taken. How would you feel?

Yeah but then companies like Marks and Spencers make huge profits and is run by corporate greed. In a sense, they steal the market from those starting, or wishing to start a business as they can buy similar items for much cheaper therefore sell it much cheaper, undercutting them.

Anyway I have never stolen apart from family here and there if I need some money quickly.

[Empired]

I've never stolen intentionally, although I assume I have done it without noticing/realising at some point. The guy in the newsagent I used to live near accidentally dropped his moneybox once and I picked it all up for him while he watched in case I stole any of it. Once I'd done, he gave me like 10 crunchie bars so I guess it pays to be good sometimes :dance:

When I lived in Chelsea, my friend and I went out one time and she went into a shop while I waited outside because she told me to and she came back out with like.. 4 tops and told me she nicked them. I laughed along at the time but felt so guilty I went back to that shop the next day and tried to pay for the tops but the woman was adamant that I'd stolen them and called the store manager. It was so scary :'( Yeah but then the store manager came down and he stared at me so I told him what happened and he just said "thank you for coming back" and so I left.
Never went back in there but I hope that woman got fired with no reference ;l

[lawrawrrr]

Did you tell them you accidentally took the items or just act as if you just picked the items?

i never told greggs, but at the charity shop i went in and explained that i completely forgot i had them, i'd volunteered a few times before there so they were quite nice about it!

[Inseriousity.]

I was a paperboy so while I wouldn't dare steal from a store where no-one knew me, I knew I could get away with it in this store because everyone trusted me. Let's just say the big bag they provide you with is great for stashing stuff! I did it cos I was greedy basically. I only ever stole sweets/chocolate and would just munch them through the day. I could lie and say I regret doing it or that I feel guilty but I don't. It's just one of those things in the past that I did. Wouldn't do it now though but that's mainly cos I have the money to buy them so there's no point sneaking round and stealing stuff.

[Walks06]

Never shoplifted on purpose but i have walked out without paying lol

[geo]

Never shoplifted haha, I don't really think I've got the guts to do it and I just wouldn't do it now lol.
I've walked out shops a few times holding stuff that I haven't paid for but I'd know like as soon as I get out the shop so yeah and I never mean to do it on purpose lol.

[-Amyy]

I stole a lolly from a shop when I was about 5 :P

[T0X!C-uk]

Shoplifting is theft which ever way it is looked at. You have your petty theft, committed by people feeding a drug habbit, or find its the only way to make an 'income'. Then you have organised crime this is more complex and usally involves large groups of people. These people makes 1000's of pounds and usally take orders from people then steal the goods.

I worked in security for five years and have recently started working for the police, so I have a pretty good grasp of shoplifting and its effect on the economy and the victims.

In short don't do it, regardless of the value of the item!

[Jssy]

I stole a few things when I was younger like whistles and jelly aliens but now I'm maturer I just couldn't do it. I'm a christian and believe shoplifting is dishonest. If you can't afford something in the first place, you shouldn't have it.

[kitten]

i've never shoplifted no, but i've been in shops when my friends have done it and still felt guilty about it even though it wasn't me.

[Red]

No i haven't. I would be too scared I was going to get caught but more so I couldn't live with the guilt.

[Munex]

I stole all the time when I was younger, from about year 7 to year 9. I never got caught. I only took sweets and drinks but some of my friends stole expensive clothes and all sorts, I was never around when they did that and it even shocked me when I found out. There was a time when I'd steal a massive tub of Haribo every single day before school ... I can't say I'm proud of what I did, but I don't regret it because I never got in trouble for it - and the sweets were really good! For me, stealing was a mixture of thinking I was cool and also, most importantly, having things to eat and drink when I had no money.

I was once walking back from school with a boy in the year below me. We went to the shop and I picked up a Mars Milkshake and stole it - his face turned pale, he was frightened. I found it quite funny and I was shocked that he got so worked up. Well ... now, that same boy is a 'badman' and he does far worse things than I'd ever do, all in the space of a couple of years. So, I don't think stealing sweets and drinks make you follow a life of crime, because I am quite sensible now and the boy that didn't steal anything has become a criminal.

[T0X!C-uk]

There was a time when I'd steal a massive tub of Haribo every single day before school ... I can't say I'm proud of what I did, but I don't regret it because I never got in trouble for it - and the sweets were really good! For me, stealing was a mixture of thinking I was cool and also, most importantly, having things to eat and drink when I had no money.

I found it quite funny and I was shocked that he got so worked up. So, I don't think stealing sweets and drinks make you follow a life of crime, because I am quite sensible now and the boy that didn't steal anything has become a criminal.

I am truly shocked by your comments. Theft is unacceptable, full stop. It doesn't matter if an old friend turned out to be a criminal, but you didn't, you committed an offence which is dishonnest and tarnishes your integrity.

[Munex]

I am truly shocked by your comments. Theft is unacceptable, full stop. It doesn't matter if an old friend turned out to be a criminal, but you didn't, you committed an offence which is dishonnest and tarnishes your integrity.

Personally, I think you're overreacting. I honestly don't care if you want to judge me for what I did when I was younger; I know I'm a good person. I stole Haribo - something which is wrong, yes, but I did not and do not lose sleep over it to this day. I'm not a criminal, I'm not morally evil, I was simply being kid. Sorry if I've offended you.

[David]

Yeah a few times, never got caught either

[T0X!C-uk]

Personally, I think you're overreacting. I honestly don't care if you want to judge me for what I did when I was younger; I know I'm a good person. I stole Haribo - something which is wrong, yes, but I did not and do not lose sleep over it to this day. I'm not a criminal, I'm not morally evil, I was simply being kid. Sorry if I've offended you.

I think you need to read your post again.


but I don't regret it because I never got in trouble for it - and the sweets were really good! For me, stealing was a mixture of thinking I was cool and also, most importantly, having things to eat and drink when I had no money.

Here you are showing to have no regrets about your actions, and you are pleased that you got these sweet and enjoyed them. You then go on to say there is an important part to your actions! There should be no importance of any offence. I always try to have someone arrested for theft, if an arrest is not possible I.E first offence then I issue an £80 penalty notice.

[Munex]

I think you need to read your post again.



Here you are showing to have no regrets about your actions, and you are pleased that you got these sweet and enjoyed them. You then go on to say there is an important part to your actions! There should be no importance of any offence. I always try to have someone arrested for theft, if an arrest is not possible I.E first offence then I issue an £80 penalty notice.

Not sure what you're getting at here. I do not regret doing it but I am not proud of it either and wouldn't do it again. Come and arrest me.

[T0X!C-uk]

Not sure what you're getting at here. I do not regret doing it but I am not proud of it either and wouldn't do it again. Come and arrest me.

I'm trying to point out that your comments appeared to show you are not bothered about what you did, and in some way you show you are happy about it. I can't arrest, nor am I trying to do so, I am making a statement about the consequences of the topic.

[Munex]

I'm trying to point out that your comments appeared to show you are not bothered about what you did, and in some way you show you are happy about it. I can't arrest, nor am I trying to do so, I am making a statement about the consequences of the topic.

Well, I'm not happy or proud of what I did, but to me, It's such a minor thing that happened in my life and I honestly don't care that I've stolen sweets in my past. I am aware it is wrong but I believe there are varying degrees of wrong - I did not steal anything expensive and I didn't commit murder. I wouldn't do it again because I've grown up now.

So yes, I'm not bothered at all. I don't have a problem with what I did. I don't regret it. I don't have a guilty conscience. However, I won't do it again and I'm certainly not proud of myself. At the time, it was a pretty good thing to do (unless I got caught, which I didn't). I don't recommend, encourage or support stealing.

[Absently]

I stole once by accident when I was a little girl, I wanted a Pocahontas video and my mum said no, obviously because she couldn't afford it. I just walked out from the shop and had forgotten it was in my hand at all, I didn't go back though. I have never stolen to this day and I know I never will, but I think under the circumstances it's right to steal - like somebody who's trying to feed a family. I believei if they are stealing from a big chain store, it's not really going to be missed, unlike a small local shop. Although, from my personal experience, people have stolen to feed a drug habit, which I don't agree with at all. I honestly hope that they go to prison soon to teach them a lesson. I know that there's people who steal just to sell on and obviously they could spend their time a bit more wisely.

[Zelda]

I sort of walked out of waitrose holding onto a breadstick once when me and my mum were picking up some supplies and girl at till and neither of us even realised until we were at the car and i noticed it so ya lol but ye i'd never do intentionally

[Lewis]

I think stealing is wrong, but if it's the case of life and death. Homeless. No food, then I think it's fine to steal - people can't just sit and starve with no home! So, stealing is wrong unless it is truly needed.

[SackRace]

Stole a sweetie from a shop when I was like 4 but no I haven't shoplifted. It's bad, just cant do it due to security/cameras that could catch you these days.

[Empired]

Shoplifting is weird 'cause when you watch other people doing it or telling you that they've done it you're like OMG IT'S WRONG YOU SHOULD NEVER DO IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
But then you're in their situation and you're an irresponsible teenager or whatever and you're like lolz yeah let's do it.

Probably have stolen unintentionally. Can't really remember.

[Fifty-Six]

As far as I know I've never shop lifted.. few of my friends have. It's wrong unless it's a matter of life and death (ie. needing food to live).

[Zak]

Surely not surprising to a lot of you, yes I have. When I was much younger, I used to steal from Claires Accessories and ... Bodycare xD for my ex gf because she didn't want to pay. Plus everyone in my area used to rob from Farm-foods, my mate walked out with a pizza once. I stopped after i left school, glad i did too.

[DPS]

Never would i ever think of doing something like this! i'd be to scared of the shame if i was caught :(

---------- Post added 29-06-2012 at 03:08 PM ----------


Surely not surprising to a lot of you, yes I have. When I was much younger, I used to steal from Claires Accessories and ... Bodycare xD for my ex gf because she didn't want to pay. Plus everyone in my area used to rob from Farm-foods, my mate walked out with a pizza once. I stopped after i left school, glad i did too.

LMAO that made me laugh so much +rep