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?

I'm not sure about socially acceptable but I've recently had a talk with a good friend and she made a 'joke' about doing it with the scan and go and accidentally 'missing' scanning an item.

I was really shocked (and disappointed too if I'm honest), just wouldn't have thought she would be the type.

Not too long ago, was talking with my sister and her friend had done something similar.

With the cost of living, ive not got a lot of time left before i become a criminal.
And deep breath im okay, i have common sense not to do the above.

Speaking of shoplifters I know a few of them, one was selling nappies and baby milk the other week, the other gets loads of meat he said it fell off a truck other one sells make-up and perfume.
And the others just tell them what you need they will find somewhere.

@Ipayformyshopping ofcourse it isn’t and never will be socially acceptable amongst the majority of the honest hardworking general public!

But surely the unscanned barcode sets the alarm off when leaving?

It really isn’t victimless. Family businesses couldn’t cope with being stolen from daily and large stores have their profits eaten into so that leads to job losses.

I said the same and she told me they do random spot checks for every so many shoppers and just check the receipt matches with what's been scanned.

This was put up on a community Facebook group a few weeks ago. Absolutely shameless.

My kids work in a seasonal role (think major High Street retailer) nothing is done about shoplifting.

Serious amounts are stolen every day. Staff and managers know- nothing done!

There are not enough staff on shop floor, security guard is not great snd no CCTV.

I have been shocked by the level of acceptance 😢

There was a thread on here a few years back, where someone had stolen baby milk or something, but then also stolen moisturiser and make-up. People were falling over themselves to defend this women for stealing the skincare and makeup, blaming the cost of living! Of course the baby milk would be understandable, but moisturiser?!

That is one of the most ignorant, disgusting and disappointing responses I have ever read on MN. Increases in shoplifting will fuel prices so of course there is an impact. How stupid are you? Smaller independent shops make massive losses. There are certainly victims. Unbelievable.

People will steal anything. It is inexcusable and we all pay inflated prices because of it!

I saw it the other day. Two men wiped the whole of the meat Isle in a mini tescos into bin bags and walked out. I don't think it's cost of living thing that means they personally have to each eat 15kg of meat. A lot of it is clearly to sell on and because they know there are no consequences

Fuel prices? Do you think people are going to garages and walking off with pockets full of diesel and petrol?

It is the lack of consequences which fuels itDrinkFeckArseBrick I agree.

Stacey Dooley did a documentary on this fairly recently on BBC Iplayer. It was quite interesting the reasons people who were shoplifting gave for why they do it. There seemed to be a consensus amongst them that it is more acceptable to steal from the big corporation rather than smaller independents. Almost as if because they make so much profit and we are all struggling with the cost of living then they deserve it.

I have come into contact with probably thousands of cases of shoplifting at work (sorry will be vague about exactly how) and I can say I’ve actually never seen somebody stealing things like food or nappies for personal use through poverty/desperation. Or if I have it’s so incredibly occasional that I’ve forgotten about it. The vast majority are alcoholics feeding habits, drug users stealing to fund their heroin/crack cocaine, and people stealing things just to sell for cash (usually washing pods and expensive laundry products).

Violence against shop staff is absolutely awful and brazen and increasing every month. I wouldn’t work in a town centre Tesco Metro for all the tea in China.

I'm sure the staff see people struggling and CF just doing it because they can.

It’s because of the self service checkouts. It’s really easy to shoplift and as a result has become more acceptable socially. I have to admit I got into a very bad habit of it when struggling financially and found even when my financial struggles were resolved it was surprisingly hard to get myself out of the habit.

Assuming you're being facetious.

But honesty boxes were a thing before. I remember one from years ago in Liverpool St station Smiths of all places.

Society is breaking down, largely because we're not 'allowed' to pass judgement on anyone any more. Society is becoming increasingly lawless.

I was at a local event tonight where there was a security barrier. I saw several groups of kids forcing pushing/pulling on it and not a parent in sight to stop them. It's evident that a lack of discipline and boundaries is resulting in a lack of impulse control and social awareness.

What do you mean 'they give shopping lists to their local ones'?

No it isn't.

No, they claimed shoplifting would increase fuel prices!

That's surely a joke, not a serious post.

Shopping is an unpleasant experience, when you're among hardened or amateur criminals. Suspicion, edginess, and the predictable dash for the door .... and knowing you're one of the paying 'mugs' when the professional lifters get the stuff for nothing. Security guards who say 'nothing we can do' or 'we're not allowed to challenge them'... weirdos piling stuff into prams that contain babies...it all.makes it a crime scene, not your local Sainsbury's.