Shoplifting Facts: Why do People Steal from Stores?

• Shoplifting is a very common crime and creates a real problem for storeowners. Shop prices are often raised as much as 10% due to financial loss recovery from petty stealing and theft.

• Many people make their entire living off of shoplifting.

• Criminals often remove serial numbers or bar codes from stolen property. To help them in removing the items from the store, they often wear oversized clothing, carry false bottom handbags or follow fake abdomens.

• Some people have a problem where they don’t need the item they steal but they just like the idea of stealing. This is called "kleptomania" and is very serious.

• Most shoplifters do steal because they want something but can’t afford to pay for it. Sometimes they steal with the sole intention of getting caught.

Prevention: How To Stop Your Child From Wanting To Shoplift

• Start by telling your children that even stealing a small item is shoplifting. Talk to them about how wrong it is to take things you don’t own.

• Be sure to keep an eye on your child when you’re shopping together. If you think the child is trying to hide things, be sure to tell them it’s wrong. You may want to have the child talk with the store manager about stealing if you caught him or her concealing an item to steal. You can also talk about the consequences of stealing with a security officer. If your child sees how unpleasant a stealing situation can be, they may be deterred.

• If you all of a sudden see your older child giving large sums of money to friends or showing up with very nice items you know they can’t afford, talk with them about shoplifting. Confront them and demand them to tell you where the items came from.

• If you see someone else shoplifting in a store, be sure to notify the security guard immediately. If you are with someone else and they shoplift, tell them you are not accepting their behavior and get them to return the item. You can also choose to notify the police if you feel it’s necessary.