‘Once you realize you can get away with it, it becomes difficult to pay full prices again,’ states Matilda*, a 26-year-old resident.
London
.
Matilda has been
shoplifting
since she was a
teenager
.The first item I took without permission was a thong.
Primark
,’ she tells
Sazua.com
‘I would simply take small items.’
Ten years have passed, and she still hasn’t shaken off her addiction—not that she wishes to. Matilda doesn’t just experience excitement from stealing; she also feels it’s fully justified.
“I can surely manage my grocery shopping without resorting to shoplifting,” she states. “However, the prices have become outrageous. It’s like, why should I be forced to pay such high costs when large corporations benefit?”
supermarkets
are making the profits?’
New data
Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that shoplifting offenses in England and Wales increased by 20% over the past year.
In total, 516,971 offenses were documented, up from 429,873 in 2023. Specifically in London, the number increased from 58,000 to almost 90,000 in 2024.
However, statistics reveal just one aspect of the narrative. Numerous occasional thieves are evading detection, with many being female.
Based on a report released by Gov.uk in January, shoplifting was the most frequent indictable offense among female defendants in 2023. This constituted 27% of all prosecutions involving women accused of indictable offenses, whereas males made up only 12%.
Imogen, a 25-year-old counselor residing in Sheffield, began engaging in theft from stores during her school days. Her initial incident involved stealing from a nearby convenience store.
‘I believe it was due to the fact that my friends did it from time to time,’ she explains.
Sazua.com
‘It was really all in good spirits. I would cover most of my expenses, but maybe take something minor, such as some chewing gum or chocolate.’
Imogen no longer steals from tiny local shops. Now, she focuses her efforts on larger retailers like Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, believing she has a lower chance of being apprehended there.
‘During Easter, when those small eggs appear in stores, I’ll sneak a Lindor chocolate egg each time I visit the shop since I can get away with it. They’re so accessible, and it never seems like a significant issue.’
Similar to Imogen, Matilda prefers targeting compact and easily concealable items. She explains, “I’ll choose objects that are relatively small and can fit into my bag. Things like cheese, halloumi, or even toothpaste work well. Basically, stuff that’s petite yet has a decent price tag.”
‘I enjoy giving myself three-for-two deals. I’ll pay for two items and take an extra one.’
Matilda never takes anything from small stores. She primarily goes after large supermarkets instead. According to her, whenever she stops by these bigger shops, she ends up taking something about nine times out of ten.
‘The priciest item I’ve ever taken without permission would likely be a packet of salmon or something fancy like a £20 facial cleanser from Superdrug.’
Imogen might also pinch some high-end items from time to time. “I’ve taken hair care products such as oils since they’re ridiculously pricey, and I desire them. These are things I would never usually purchase,” she explains.
‘Just like this is considered a luxury item that I won’t be able to rationalize purchasing for myself, but I could accept it as a gift.’
What causes us to experience an ‘excitement’ from shoplifting?
Certain individuals, such as Imogen and Matilda, begin shoplifting purely due to their ability to do so—and according to consultant psychologist,
Dr Elena Touroni
explains that eventually, it becomes an exceedingly tempting routine.
When someone engages in shoplifting, their brain produces dopamine — a chemical associated with pleasure and reward,” says Dr. Elena. “This reinforcement makes the act more enticing to repeat.
However, Dr. Elena also indicates that the motivations behind shoplifting might run much deeper.
She clarifies: ‘This could originate from monetary challenges, yet it frequently connects to emotional factors such as stress, isolation, past traumas, or seeking recognition.’
‘At times, this might serve as a method to deal with profound sentiments of voidness, diminished self-esteem, or the desire for excitement in what would otherwise be a lethargic existence.’
Certain individuals may become hooked on this excitement. ‘To some, it offers an adrenaline surge or a feeling of control that they might not encounter in other aspects of their life,’ explains Dr Elena, who is additionally the co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic.
‘As time passes, the brain begins to associate theft with temporary relief or thrill, turning it into a coping mechanism for individuals facing emotional distress.’
Dr. Elena observes that societal pressures might contribute to why certain women resort to shoplifting.
She states: ‘The social pressures imposed on women—such as maintaining a specific appearance, silently bearing emotional burdens, and meeting unattainable standards—can lead to significant underlying stress and diminished self-worth.’
‘Shoplifting might provide certain individuals with a fleeting instance of defiance or a covert means to regain a feeling of control in a world that frequently seems oppressive.’
Lastly, Dr. Elena emphasizes that it’s crucial to view chronic shoplifting not merely as a legal problem, but rather as a mental health concern.
She notes: ‘Support, therapy, and empathetic comprehension can have a significant impact—assisting individuals in breaking the cycle and discovering more constructive methods to cope with any hidden distress or stress they might be experiencing.’
The names in this article have been altered.
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