Friend shoplifting

[MarjoryDawess]

Hi I would like some advice about my friend.

She has confided in me that she shop lifts regularly and can’t stop. I’m completely shocked as I have known her for many years and felt this was completely out of character.

She is a lovely person who is kind and selfless and always been there for me through thick and thin. She has a well paid job and high disposable income.

She has two young children and an attentive husband. She has no mental health issues as far as I’m aware. She has been doing this weekly for a few years!

Should I tell her husband? I don’t want to lose her as a friend- or should I just do nothing? She doesn’t seem to be bothered about getting caught and says she knows exactly what to say if that were to happen!

If you know what shops she steals from you can call their manager and warn them

She's a thief and may well be getting staff in the shops she steals from into trouble if they get held responsible for stock going missing.
I'd tell her husband because at some point she'll get caught and then her family will suffer.

MarjoryDawess I am still in touch with her, although I don't see her often, as we no longer live in the same city.

I wouldn't advise telling her husband, or alerting managers in the shops she frequents.
She clearly trusts you. Perhaps you could suggest talking therapy. Cognitive-behavioural therapy(CBT), might be worth her looking into.

I hope she gets the help, and support she needs.