The following information on shoplifting includes facts, advice on consequences, and listing of online resources.
The Facts
- Chronic shoplifters steal an average of 1.6 times per week.
- Most shoplifters steal due to societal or personal pressures not of finical need or greed.
- Shoplifters say they are caught about once for every 48 times they steal.
- Shoplifting overburdens the police and court systems, add to the stores expense costs consumers more, and hurts children and families.
- There is no profile on a typical shoplifter; males and females shoplift about as equally as often.
- Your kids know kids who shoplift, 86% of kids say they know others who shoplift.
Advice on Consequences
- Apologize in person, in writing, or both to the people he/she stole from.
- If you choose to limit your child's privileges, make sure it is something that you have control over and can follow through on.
- Make the offender pay for the price of the merchandise.
- Have the offender volunteer his/her time in the community.
Online Shoplifting Resources