Shoplifting..... So desperate at Christmas

[stubbs0412]

Not me btw
Whilst waiting in supermarket queue someone was escorted out by the police...."shoplifters" says the cashier. "Well, people are just so desperate this time of year aren't they?" Says the person in front of me. I could feel myself actually agreeing, is this u? R my morals slipping? I honestly don't think I would report someone I saw shoplifting food either.

I am one of the posters that say stealing is always wrong. I have NEVER said I don't believe some people steal out of desperation and I have never said I don't 'understand' why they do. . Has any poster actually said that?

I don't get the assumption that those of us who say stealing is wrong are right wing, are middle class, have never been extremely poor or don't volunteer over Christmas. (and at other times)

I am left wing, have been poor as a kid. ( sleeping on damp mouldy mattresses in my dads caravan home and nicking loo rolls are some of childhood memories ) I do plenty of volunteer work and I have the upmost compassion for those who are desperate. I don't, however, condone stealing EVER.

(Lol, yeah, I know I didn't comment on my middle class'ness )

I'm another who's said stealing is always wrong. I've also been extremely poor to the point of stomach pains from hunger, dizzy spells, hair loss, anaemia, muscle loss, my eye sight was affected. I was clinically malnourished so yes I do know how it feels.

Oh yes and today I was helping at a lunch for those in need. I don't want anyone to suffer but neither do I think stealing is the answer. Not least because two wrongs don't make a right.

stubbs -

I am the least likely Ghetto Princess, unlike the t.v. character Vicky Pollard. The name was such a contradiction in terms, it made me smile.

You've never been arrested for shoplifting have you ?

Rhetorical question, therefore, nuff said.

Sure stealing is wrong.

I would do all sorts of 'wrong' things if I had to.

I stole a packet of nappies, a tin of baby milk and a loaf of bread when I was 16 to feed me and my baby. I was and still am ashamed about it but sometimes people have to do things to survive. It's easy to judge if you haven't been in that situation before but unfortunately too many people have.

SearchingForDress. Don't be ashamed for stealing, save up and pay the money back if you haven't all ready and then forget about it.

"thank god there are people.out there willing to sacrifice their christmas day to look after others"

yes quite. I sacruficed mine to look after an 83 year old woman whise house was burgled last night and all the xmas presents taken.
I also looked after a drunk driver, 3 victims of knife attacks, their respective attackers, 2 victims of arson and one fire starter.

It's not worth repeating myself over and over. I have not daid that people are Not in desperate need. I measure myself personally by how I treat both victims and offenders. I am not without sympathy for those in need but my experiences within the police are all I have to go on. I have not found any difference in what shoplifters take, the majority seem to still be taking from others for profit or.personal gain, and ive.never been called to a shoplifter who needed the items they took for themselves. I cant pretend otherwise. I dont judge. im just going on personal experience.

Warning- DM link

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531059/Police-going-easy-mothers-steal-food-simply-live.html

This is in accord with my impression of how things are.

'The Department of Work and Pensions said its record in processing benefits had in fact mproved under the coalition.

A spokesman added that if new food banks are opening on a weekly basis, as claimed by the Trussel Trust, then 'it's not surprising more people are using them'.'

From that DM article (sorry). But that official has misread what is going on. It is not a question of demand created by availability of free food.

Just to say, that at my local supermarket (where I work) we stopped a 17 yo shoplifter today, who had a trolley full of food shopping (several legs of lamb amongst other items)You can't tell, just by looking at someone, but she didn't look starving. Lots of make-up. Nicely dressed. The threw the book at her and called the police - tbh I agree with them. If she had had baby milk/ cheap branded products I would have had more sympathy.

Wake the hell up people . The massive corps steal from us daily . Enslave our farmers and ruin our land , make an alternative life style almost impossible or atleast extremely hard , oh not to mention pushing poison in our faces and feeding addiction ...all for quick profit . Who gives a fuck the way in which the less fortunate survive.. even if they are on drugs or re-selling ... I wouldn’t be so quick to judge that which you have little understanding of .

Working in retail I see shoplifters on a daily basis, and yes I feel sorry for the people that say they are starving, however if u shoplift for hunger you may steal a bread roll or some cheap basic food, NOT the lamb chops, salmon and top of the range items. When I see that, all my sympathy for them vanishes.

Tiredemma I understand completely

I'm also in the camp that addicts are not a sub species. There but for the grace of God go I. Nobody decides to become an alcoholic or drug addict and how many of us drink and have dabbled in drugs?

ZOMBIE
ZOMBIE
ZOMBIE

I work in retail (not food) and the amount of theft we have is ridiculous! It gets reported every time. My boss gets visits from loss prevention because our “known theft” total has increased every single year. We have our “regular” shoplifters, so as soon as one walks into my workplace, I walk right up to them, watch them and don’t move. I follow them around. The items they steal is highly likely sold on, not for their own use. So no, no sympathy from me. I would report.

The only time I saw a shoplifter and turned the other way was the homeless man in Tesco Metro in Leeds. He stole a pork pie, and it wasn't a large Melton Mowbray, it was a small Tesco Value pie with the basic wrapping on it and my heart bled.

Thread is 5 years old

I remembee this happening years ago when we were shopping.

A lady with 2 little boys in a trolley was being arrested, I can even remember what it was - a pair of sooty and sweep puppets. This was in Hitchens (( cheap ex catalogue shop )) and she was shouting 'no no, but I need them. I need them'.

My heart bloody broke for her. Think they were only £4 or so...........we really do take a lot for granted until we're the ones living on the other side.

Wake the hell up people . The massive corps steal from us daily . Enslave our farmers and ruin our land , make an alternative life style almost impossible or atleast extremely hard , oh not to mention pushing poison in our faces and feeding addiction ...all for quick profit . Who gives a fuck the way in which the less fortunate survive.. even if they are on drugs or re-selling ... I wouldn’t be so quick to judge that which you have little understanding of .

Uh huh, okay then. Way to resurrect a 5 year old thread!!!

Although shoplifting is wrong in the way it impacts other, paying shoppers I’m shocked at pp’s lack of sympathy for those addicted to drugs. Have you not heard of how horrible withdrawals can be? These people have reached a point that they’re that desperate for a substance that they compromise their morals, I think it’s wrong to judge them with no sympathy for them

I do have sympathy yes. I have sympathy for drugs users too as it must be an awful way of life. Not for "professional" shoplifters stealing to order of course but who knows what the situation was here.

Even if I wad desperate though I think I'd be petrified of being caught. Which I would be as I'm that type of person who gets caught (I think)

Fuck me @Yesnooh91 how did you even find this FIVE YEAR OLD THREAD to post on?!

I wish we could lock these down after a period of time, NOT to be resurected!!