Shoplifting facts for kids

A person in a store slipping an item into their pocket

A sign warning people about shoplifting in Subang Parade, Malaysia

Shoplifting is when someone takes items from a store without paying for them. It's a type of theft. Sometimes, people might even put on clothes from the store and walk out wearing them.

What is Shoplifting?

Shoplifting is a common crime where goods are taken from a store without being paid for. While the words "shoplifting" and "shoplifter" are often used, the law usually calls this crime a type of larceny, which means taking someone else's property illegally.

Different Ways People Shoplift

Shoplifting isn't just about hiding items. It can also include:

• Hiding items: This is the most common way, where someone hides an item on themselves or with a friend.
• Price switching: This means swapping the price tags of different items. For example, putting a cheaper price tag on an expensive item.
• Refund fraud: This happens when someone tries to return an item they didn't buy, or an item they stole, to get money back.
• Grazing: This is when someone eats or uses a store's product while still inside the store, without paying for it.

When Does Shoplifting Happen Most?

Shoplifting tends to happen most often in the afternoon, especially between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. It's least common early in the morning, from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. In the United States, shoplifting often increases during the Christmas holiday season and also during spring break.

Who Shoplifts?

People who shoplift can be very different. Some are "amateurs" who act on a sudden idea. Others are "career criminals" who steal regularly to make money by reselling the items.

Shoplifting happens among people of all backgrounds. This includes people from every nation, race, ethnicity, gender, and social class.

A Look at Shoplifting History

The first recorded cases of shoplifting happened in the 1500s in London. For a long time, people thought that mostly women were involved in shoplifting.

However, since the 1980s, information shows that males are just as likely, or even more likely, to shoplift than females. On average, someone who shoplifts for the first time is about ten years old. Shoplifting tends to be most common during adolescence (teenage years) and then usually decreases as people get older.

Studies show that people of all races shoplift equally. Also, people who are not wealthy shoplift only slightly more often than those who are. Interestingly, men often use bags to shoplift, while women sometimes use strollers. When someone is caught shoplifting, the items they tried to steal are usually worth about $200.

What Items Are Stolen Most Often?

A criminologist named Ronald V. Clarke came up with a helpful way to understand why certain items are stolen more than others. He says shoplifters often look for "hot products" that are "CRAVED." This word is an acronym, meaning each letter stands for something:

• Concealable: Easy to hide.
• Removable: Easy to take away.
• Available: Easy to find in stores.
• Valuable: Worth a good amount of money.
• Enjoyable: Something people want to use or have.
• Disposable: Easy to sell or get rid of.

Common items that fit this description and are often shoplifted include:

• Small groceries, like steak and instant coffee.
• Small electronics, such as MP3 players, smartphones, USB flash drives, and earphones.
• Other items like razor blades and cartridges, CDs, DVDs, gift cards, cosmetics, jewelry, multivitamins, pregnancy tests, electric toothbrushes, and clothing.

How Stores Stop Shoplifting

Stores use many ways to prevent and catch shoplifters.

• Security cameras: Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are very important for watching what happens in a store.
• Locked displays: Small, expensive items are often kept in locked glass cases.
• Chains and sensors: Larger expensive items might be chained to shelves. Stores also attach special magnetic or radio sensors or dye packs to items. These sensors will set off an alarm if someone tries to leave the store without paying. Dye packs will ruin the item if removed improperly.
• Security guards: Some stores have security guards at the exits who might check bags and receipts.
• Employee training: Stores also teach their employees how to spot people who might be trying to shoplift.

Consequences of Shoplifting

Shoplifting is a crime and has legal consequences. Stores can also ban people who have shoplifted from coming back to their premises. It is one of the most common crimes.

The penalties for shoplifting can vary. Stores are very careful about accusing someone falsely because it can have serious problems for them. They usually only try to stop someone if they are very sure that person is guilty.

Common punishments for shoplifting include:

• Paying a fine.
• Joining a diversion program, which helps people avoid a criminal record if they complete certain tasks.
• Paying restitution, which means paying the store back for the stolen items.
• Being placed on misdemeanor probation, where a person must follow certain rules for a period of time.
• Spending time in jail.

People caught shoplifting for the first time might just get a fine. But if someone is caught shoplifting many times, or if they steal very expensive items or a lot of items, they could face probation or even jail time.

Famous Shoplifting Cases

Even famous people have been accused of shoplifting:

• In 1897, Lizzie Borden, who was already well-known from a murder trial, was accused of shoplifting.
• French writer Jean Genet was arrested in Paris in 1937 for stealing handkerchiefs. He often stole from stores throughout his life.
• Actress Hedy Lamarr was arrested for shoplifting in 1966 and again in 1991. The charges were dropped both times.
• British TV personality Lady Isobel Barnett was found guilty of shoplifting in 1980.
• Actress Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting at a department store in 2001. She was found guilty of misdemeanor theft and vandalism.
• In 2010, Caroline Giuliani, the daughter of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, was arrested for stealing beauty items. She later completed community service to have the charges dropped.
• British chef Antony Worrall Thompson was arrested in 2012 for shoplifting some food items and received a warning.
• Actor Dwayne Johnson shared that he used to shoplift candy bars as a teenager. In 2022, he went back to the store and bought all the candy bars to make up for it.