Police warn of shoplifting ahead of Christmas

Shoplifting is a crime that is reported to the police on a daily basis, said a police press release.

The Christmas season is a busy time for shoplifting offences: many try and many are caught. The amount of shoplifting is high.

In 2016, almost 47,000 occurrences of shoplifting were reported to the police.

“The figures seem to be slightly down this year – hopefully this will remain the direction until the end of the year,” said Chief Superintendent Jyrki Aho of the National Police Board.

Many entrepreneurs are exasperated by shoplifters and the extra work and losses they cause.

“Retailers understand the scale of the problem and are investing in the fight against shoplifting. Guards, camera surveillance, product-specific protection, and other customers are present, many of whom intervene in any crimes they notice, either by reporting them or directly apprehending the suspect,” said Aho.

There are many types of shoplifter. Some steal goods purely in order to make money, in other words they try to take things which they can sell quickly onwards. Some thieves have substance abuse problems, or are professional criminals who have entered the country. Shoplifters include both old and young people.

“If the shoplifter is under 18, the police contact the parents and child protection. In general, retailers demand that the offenders be punished; the consequence is either a fine or a court proceeding. Although shoplifters under the age of 15 are not criminally liable, they are still liable to pay damages if they have eaten, messed up or broken something,” Aho added..

The police official said that many parents are shocked to hear that their children have been shoplifting. It is worth discussing the issue in advance and using the correct terms. Shoplifting is a crime.