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.