UK NEWS

MIDDLE CLASSES TURN TO SHOPLIFTING IN RECESSION

A recent rise in the middleclass shoplifter is being noted / picture posed by model

Tuesday November 10,2009

By John Twomey

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A NEW breed of middle-class shoplifter is fuelling a £5billion retail crime spree, figures revealed yesterday.

As the recession bites, well-heeled crooks are stealing luxury goods to sustain their lifestyles.

Designer clothes, lingerie, perfume and cosmetics are disappearing off the shelves at an alarming rate.

Thieves are also swiping mobile phones, iPods, computer games and even fresh seafood and champagne in a crime wave up by a fifth in a year.

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The rise of the pilfering middle class is revealed in the Global Retail Theft Barometer. Shoplifting in Britain is at an all-time high, with the annual cost of goods stolen hitting £4.88billion.

Seafood including smoked salmon and cosmetics are on the hit list

The past 12 months have seen the figure rise by £750million.

The statistics put the United Kingdom top of the retail crime league in Europe and third behind the US and Japan worldwide.

Neil Matthews, vice president of security troubleshooters Checkpoint Systems, said: “We are not simply looking at traditional shoplifters here.

“We are seeing more instances than before of amateur thieves stealing goods for their own personal use rather than to sell on.

“This is epitomised in the recent uprising of the middle-class shoplifter, someone who has turned to theft to sustain their standard of living.”

Recent studies have shown that middle-class shoplifters, particularly young women, get an adrenalin “buzz” from taking luxury items from exclusive stores.

But the latest survey strongly suggests a new factor – an unwillingness to give up a high-spending consumer lifestyle in a recession.

One expert commented: “In many cases, the bubble has burst for middle-class families.

“Until recently, they could borrow to finance their lifestyles or rely on decent wage rises and big bonuses.

“But the credit crunch means they are no longer able to afford that high-spending lifestyle – some have resorted to crime.”

The average shoplifting “bill” is £80.31, with favourite items being expensive branded goods.

Shoplifting at clothing and fashion accessory stores has risen 8.8 per cent in 12 months.

Thefts at speciality food and convenience stores are up 8.4 per cent, with alcohol, fresh meat, fish and cheese topping the list.

DIY and hardware outlets have been hit by a four per cent increase, much of it in stolen power tools.

Mr Matthews said: “The UK’s retail industry has seen its largest ever increase in shoplifting over the past 12 months, and it comes at a time when the industry can least afford it.”

The Court of Appeal’s sentencing guidelines suggest that jail terms for shoplifting should be very rare and never imposed for a first offence. Offenders should be dealt with by community order or fine.

Checkpoint Systems commissioned the Global Retail Theft Barometer .

THE LUXURY LIST... FOR A STORE THIEF:

Designer clothes, including lingerie.

Seafood, smoked salmon and speciality meats.

Champagne, vodka, whisky.

Cosmetics, face creams and perfume.

iPods, DVDs, cameras and computer games