To think that shoplifting is becoming more socially acceptable?

[Ipayformyshopping]

I’ll preface this by saying I do live in a ‘rough’ area which might have something to do with it but shoplifting seems to becoming more and more socially acceptable.

There are no legal consequences anymore just a talking to so it might aswell not be a crime. Articles on social media are getting more and more comments defending shoplifting than I’ve ever seen before. Christmas, cost of living, shops making too much profit so can afford it etc . Even a lot happily saying they give shopping lists to their local ones. As a retail worker I don’t understand it but it seems to more prevalent than ever.

So AIBU or is shoplifting starting to become socially acceptable? Or is it just a local area thing?

Not amongst anyone decent, no.

I think a lot of shoplifters are being more bold about what they are doing, if the news is anything to go by.

I can understand how it is becoming rife because of the cost of living. I fail to see how theft can be socially acceptable.

A lot of it isn't cost of living
It's alcohol /drugs
Or just because they can.

Not at all acceptable!!!

I don't see it ever becoming socially acceptable. It's probably more prevalent now as a result of the rising cost of live, but that doesn't make it right.

Probably because it's basically a victimless crime.

Not acceptable to anyone I've spoken to on the matter. There's no honest excuse for it, not when there are resources in place to ensure that people will not starve.

This. I hate shoplifters, horrible scummy thieves.

It will only increase, as life becomes more expensive. And there will be an increase in the amount of people willing to buy things (that fell off the back of a lorry) who would not have contemplated anything of the sort, before.

The introduction of self service tills has contributed - weighing avocadoes as carrots etc - where people adopt the attitude is it their "payment" for doing the supermarket's job for them.

I don't think it's socially acceptable but I can see why it is more of a necessity now for some. If I didn't have enough to feed my family or pay the leccy bill and I couldn't get support elsewhere, then I i would definitely steal food.

More prevalent, sure. More acceptable, not in my experience.

Socially acceptable - No.
Not seen as a crime or prosecuted for - yes.

Explain that to a independent shopkeeper

Supermarkets of all sizes round here (and even some coffee/sandwich shops) have security on the doors now.

Its very depressing.

In a lot the staff wear cameras and serve you from inside a cage.

It’s very depressing.

It's not becoming more acceptable at all. People can't afford to live. What are they meant to do?

And to those of us paying ever-increasing prices, which include covering these losses.

It is now a necessity for some people, that’s the bottom line.

I remember my son when he was 1 in his buggy, we were in jd sports in the shopping centre and he pinched a shoe off the rack on the way out the door and I didnt notice until 3 shops later. I had to go back with it, i was mortified 😬😬😬. Not the point of the thread but i just wanted to share.

It always was. I grew up in a rougher area and it was just better hidden. People turning up at the pub with dodgy CDs/DVDs/trainers that had 'fallen off the back of a lorry'. And even decent people would buy them because it was all they could afford. In the proper rough areas people would steal cheese/meat/washing powder to order. Now people don't think twice about illegally streaming shows or movies. But because you can see brazen shoplifters, they think they're superior. I live in a nice area but there are less nice places around it and those elements travel. The local shops around here have a WhatsApp group to keep them all aware when a shoplifter is around.

The last couple of times I’ve been to Glasgow I popped to Greggs and both times there was people come in grab what they want and walk out.

Yes the cost of living is scandalous and some people are struggling so much however it’s us who will pay the price ultimately if this is allowed. They’ll increase the prices and so we pay so I don’t condone it at all. I suspect they don’t want to waste their money on food so they take that and use their benefits for drugs and the like as tehu can’t get away with just taking those without consequences

I was recently shopping and started setting off the alarms each time I left a shop?! Couldn’t work out what was setting it off. The first few times I stopped looked around etc and one occasion there was a security guard there and I looked at him and Said ‘sorry I think something in my bag is setting them off?’ He just waved me away and said don’t worry. In the end I just carried on and nobody even looked at me each time so I can see that now genuine shoplifting would just be totally ignored ??

Which kind of shoplifting do you mean?

1. Someone stealing for their own needs because they cannot afford to pay for it?
2. Someone who can afford to pay but gets a thrill from stealing?
3. An addict stealing high-cost items to finance their next fix?
4. The organised crime version where multiple masked men turn up, sweep the shelves clear and are gone before there's any chance of stopping them?

I've always believed the first kind to be pretty rare and some people find it acceptable because they feel pity. The second has been a growing problem for some years, so yes those stealing for this reason seem to find it more acceptable. The third used to predominate, and while many pitied, I don't think they find it acceptable. And the fourth is new and I very much doubt anyone but criminals find it in any way acceptable.

Don't think it is but people don't have the sense of shame they used to.