To think security should have let thief stole?

[User271947]

Was doing my food shop earlier and happened to see the scene of a man getting caught stealing milk. Just a bottle of milk.

My heart broke for this thief, if he wasn't desperate he wouldn't have stolen... it wasn't anything he could gain money from.

I thought if security just turned a blind eye and let him walk home with it he might have fed himself or someone, or at least took away that bit of hunger. Yes it's their job but I think sometimes humanity should be above.

Would you have compassion for this or am I being naive?

The milk could be a red herring for something stuffed inside his jacket!

As a lawyer I can confidently say that anyone stealing essential food/baby items is exempt from prosecution for theft.

Okay, that's a joke but it stands. If I see someone stealing essential food/baby items, no I didn't.

Just because someone stole milk does not mean that he couldn't afford it or that he was desperate. Many thieves steal for the sake of it, because they can.

Just before Christmas two security guards were chasing a guy full pelt across town over 2 selection boxes. He dropped them in the end and they gave up the chase. I was upset for days thinking of the kids he was trying to steal them for. I would have felt the same about the milk. What a world it's become, and I don't want to hear the argument that milk will rise 2p because of people like it.

@twilightermummy again, why are you creating a sob story for no reason? Where have the imaginary kids come from? You’re weird.

He obviously chose the box of chocolates because they’re easier to sell on! These are prime targets for shoplifters, hence why some stores security tag them or place cctv screens in the area so customers can see themselves. If he was apparently stealing chocolate for children, why did he need 2 pricey selection boxes? Why couldn’t he buy a £1 or less jumbo bag?

Sorry it was an advent calendar. Bit extreme to call me weird! Probably explains the lack of empathy **Vitaminsss

Or maybe he was a prolific theif who was constantly stealing stuff hence the chase ? You have no idea of the circumstances ,my Dh got a multi pack of milk from Asda once and brought two packets in the house and left the rest in the car intending to bring them in later ,when he went back to the car somebody had broken in and taken them ( we live in a deprived area ) maybe they were desperate or maybe they were just opportunist ,thing is you don't know and what if that milk was for our kids breakfasts ,would it be ok for my kids to go hungry so someone else's didn't ?

twilightmummy that's really concerning that youre not just only easily taken in, but actually invent sob stories about men you know nothing about.

Selection boxes are an easy target for selling on for quick drugs money.

Anyone that desperate for their kids wouldn't risk a criminal record.

Where did I say it was okay? I was just stating what he did ffs! It was always seen as a petty crime and he was out within a few weeks.

Calm down - you're the one who referred to it as a petty crime

It is a bit odd though Twilightmummy "to be upset for days" and blame society be abuse you saw a criminal being caught. Most people know stealing is wrong and dont have an automatic reaction of making up stories in their heads about it.

The reactions here remind me of that saying about the homeless "well, they don't help themselves". You're right they are imaginary kids. I couldn't really think of who else you'd buy an advent calendar for though? Perhaps I am naive and feel slightly better about it. However, it does seem a bit of a leap that something so cheap is getting sold on for drug money.

@twilightermummy

Sorry it was an advent calendar. Bit extreme to call me weird! Probably explains the lack of empathy **Vitaminsss

It is weird to make yourself upset over imaginary children that don’t exist. A set of events happened, yet you’re twisting the story and embellishing it to create your own rhetoric. It’s not about empathy, you’re away with the fairies.

@twilightermummy

Just before Christmas two security guards were chasing a guy full pelt across town over 2 selection boxes. He dropped them in the end and they gave up the chase. I was upset for days thinking of the kids he was trying to steal them for. I would have felt the same about the milk. What a world it's become, and I don't want to hear the argument that milk will rise 2p because of people like it.

Lol. Kids. As if. It was probably for sale

Have worked in foodbanks and also on a food project that would feed hot food to up to 100 people. We sign posted people to other services and gave out stuff such as winter coats. Most clients seemed morally upstanding regardless of how poor they were and would never have stolen. But some were not and we had some real characters, usually the ones with addiction issues, they stole from the volunteers some of whom were very naive. I was almost jealous of their naivety.

Maybe the guy also had a shed load of other stuff he had stolen ? See we can all invent scenarios, and he just dropped the selection boxes ?

It's possible this was to see the security guards response times, locations ect

@twilightermummy

The reactions here remind me of that saying about the homeless "well, they don't help themselves". You're right they are imaginary kids. I couldn't really think of who else you'd buy an advent calendar for though? Perhaps I am naive and feel slightly better about it. However, it does seem a bit of a leap that something so cheap is getting sold on for drug money.

Well, maybe you need to expand your horizons a bit...

Some people will do anything for the 50p or whatever,to help them get their next fix.

I refuse to believe that someone is really upset for days for the thief after seeing them steal stuff.
It's just a hyperbole trying to make others feel bad for having a different stance towards criminals

Stealing chocolate for kids is just as bad, TBH. They don't need chocolate, it's just nice to have. It's a unnecessary theft.

Drug users will steal and sell anything. Every few pence helps.

@twilightermummy

The reactions here remind me of that saying about the homeless "well, they don't help themselves". You're right they are imaginary kids. I couldn't really think of who else you'd buy an advent calendar for though? Perhaps I am naive and feel slightly better about it. However, it does seem a bit of a leap that something so cheap is getting sold on for drug money.

I think you're being incredibly naive.

A drug addict will steal anything if it means they get their fix.

@twilightermummy

The reactions here remind me of that saying about the homeless "well, they don't help themselves". You're right they are imaginary kids. I couldn't really think of who else you'd buy an advent calendar for though? Perhaps I am naive and feel slightly better about it. However, it does seem a bit of a leap that something so cheap is getting sold on for drug money.

It sounds like there's something really wrong with your powers of reasoning. It's actually quite anti social not to automatically condemn a crime like theft.

It comes across as really strange that you can't imagine a thief selling on an advent calender for money but you can create an entirely fictitious scenario in your head about a father stealing for his children. But then you can't work out that no decent father would risk getting a criminal record for a couple of advent calendars.

You don't seem to have very well established boundaries on basic moral issues. Most children know theft is wrong at quite a young age, the ones that struggle with that boundary often go on to criminal activity or are easily led.

What? Why would I waste my time using hyperbole trying to get strangers to agree with my point of view? Days later, I genuinely told family members I felt upset about it. Having seen some replies here I actually feel better about it and feel a bit naive. I am actually on anti-depressants atm after going through a tough time so perhaps that's why I felt a bit sad about it. Where's the problem? I had been contemplating doing some voluntary work alongside my job too so maybe I'm in a better position to after reading this thread. People are getting the rage quicker than ever on here lately.

GreenlandTheMovie
Yeah you're dead right. Boundaries all over the place.

The thing is, the security guard has a job to do. If they don’t do their job and someone else sees them not doing that job, they’ll lose it. What impact will that have on their own household? Who do they have at home relying on that wage?

@twilightermummy

*GreenlandTheMovie* Yeah you're dead right. Boundaries all over the place.

Erm, well maybe start again with the basics of distinguishing right from wrong, and not making up far fetched excuses for theft?

Your post really disturbs me, I can't quite put my finger on why.