WITH shoplifting offences up by 29 per cent this year, a 41-year-old single mum from Surrey reveals her guilt over her criminal habit.
HOLDING a block of solid shampoo in my hand, I pretend to smell another product as I skillfully slip it up my jacket sleeve.
After browsing for another few minutes, I casually stroll out of the shop, overtaken by a rush of euphoria at getting away with my crime.
I’d just shoplifted, stealing something that I didn’t even need. And I knew I had to stop.
It seems I’m one of a growing number of people to recently turn to shoplifting.
According to the Office for National Statistics, offences of this kind in England and Wales rose by 29 per cent to just shy of half a million in the year to June, and are at a 20-year high.
I’ve been shoplifting for four years and, to date, I estimate I’ve stolen almost £5,000 worth of goods.
Luckily for me, I’ve never been caught, but I’ve had a few near misses.
I don’t look like a stereotypical shoplifter. I’m in my early forties and a single mum-of-two with a full-time job as a primary school teacher.
I dress smartly and am always polite with shop assistants.
It wasn’t until 2020, when Covid struck and my life fell apart, that my habit started.
My partner walked out on me and our children, now aged five and seven, and I’d sob myself to sleep, worried about how I was going to manage on my own.
I applied for Universal Credit, but each month I was left with less than £200 to cover food and essentials after paying the mortgage and bills.
One day, I was out shopping when I realised we’d run out of hand sanitiser. It was expensive in the early days of Covid and I couldn’t afford it.
Without thinking, I slipped two bottles into my bag. I then picked up a loaf of bread, cheese and some baked beans and headed to the self-service checkout.
My heart pounded as I scanned only the food items, expecting a tap on my shoulder any minute. But it didn’t come.
My shoplifting went from something born out of necessity to a compulsion I couldn’t control
That evening, as I sat having dinner with the kids, the reality of what I’d done hit me. I’d stolen for the first time in my life.
I went to bed wracked with guilt, vowing I’d never do it again. But I did, many more times.
My shoplifting went from something born out of necessity to a compulsion I couldn’t control.
I began stealing every time I went to the shops. I stole everything from clothes for the kids and myself to food, beauty products and toys I couldn’t afford.
I hated seeing my children envy their playmates and didn’t want them to go without.
While some things I actually needed, like fruit and veg that I’d “forget” to scan, other things I stole for the sake of it — like gold-plated hoop earrings and tea lights.
Because I wasn’t stealing directly from a person, I saw shoplifting as a victimless crime. But of course, it isn’t.
The British Retail Consortium estimates that it costs the industry almost £2billion annually — and it is shoppers who suffer as prices rise to compensate.
I’d like to say lack of money is the reason I shoplift, but I’d be lying. In truth, I get a feeling of euphoria from stealing.
Last week, I stole a bottle of wine costing £14.99, a £19.99 Squishmallow toy and Christmas baubles costing £9.99.
Shoplifting is an addiction and I am desperate to stop
None of these items were things I needed. Shoplifting is an addiction and I am desperate to stop.
Not only do I feel guilty once the “high” of stealing has passed, but I’m also terrified of getting caught.
Once, I placed children’s clothes on hangers that already had items on, so they were missed by the changing room attendant.
But I think she picked up on it, as when I came out and looked towards the exit, there were two policemen outside.
My instincts told me not to risk it and I put the items back before walking out of the store.
The policemen stopped me and searched my bag, but of course found nothing.
Afterwards, I was shaking and crying, vowing for the hundredth time that I would stop. But I couldn’t.
Another time, I went food shopping and used my own carrier bag to collect the items, leaving a few inside as I scanned the rest.
An attendant came over and said she’d seen that I had more items in my bag.
I apologised, claiming I hadn’t noticed. It was another close call.
Not only do I feel guilty once the ‘high’ of stealing has passed, but I’m also terrified of getting caught
I think a lot of people get away with shoplifting because the police don’t do anything if stores call them.
Yet I want to stop my terrible habit more than anything.
If I’m caught and get into trouble with the police, I could lose my job.
Worse, I could lose my children as they might be sent to live with their father full-time if I end up in prison.
I never shoplift when the children are with me — I’d be mortified if they ever found out.
I am always telling them stealing is wrong and despise my own hypocrisy.
I never shoplift when the children are with me — I’d be mortified if they ever found out
I’ve only told two people — friends I knew wouldn’t judge — about my shoplifting, and they suggested I get help. But I am too embarrassed.
My dad passed away five years ago and I would be devastated if my mum found out about my crimes.
She’s always been so proud of me and I’d hate to bring shame on the family.
People empathise with alcohol and drug addicts, but I don’t think they would feel the same about someone addicted to stealing.
I know I must take action to stop this before it’s too late and my career and life are ruined.
RETAIL expert Clare Bailey, who appears on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Sky News, says: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. Everyone is a victim.
“Because shops and businesses suffer so much loss due to theft, they have to raise prices to cover that loss. If there was no shoplifting, prices might actually come down. So we are all paying for it.
“Shop staff are also victims. While some people might be very sneaky about how they steal, others can be quite violent. The charity Retail Trust is getting increasing numbers of reports from shop staff who have had to confront people who are stealing.
“They are being faced with quite severe, violent responses. It’s becoming rather scary.
“These are often people who work for the minimum wage and have no training to deal with these situations.
“But they face them day in, day out, when they should never have to.
“Shoplifting is on the rise and it’s almost as though, as the cost of living has gone up, people think, ‘Why shouldn’t I?’
“But we need businesses to make a profit to keep the economy going and we need institutional investors to make enough money so they can pay out for things like pension funds.
“Tesco might be one of the biggest investors into your grandparents’ pension fund.
“If they lose money, everyone could be affected.
“As most of us are honest, we are quite accepting of the security tags and plastic boxes stores have had to introduce to manage theft.
“Of course, the tags and cases cost money too, but it’s better than losing the product.
“If caught shoplifting, you risk a criminal record and this will further impact your employment and earning opportunities.
“It’s a crime and it’s a selfish one. Everyone is paying the cost of shoplifting.”
For more info see retailchampion.co.uk.
