Shoplifting in charity shops

It's pretty low to steal from a charity, isn't it? I don't suggest that stealing from Marks and Spencer is acceptable, but taking from a charity shop, staffed by volunteers, seems somehow even worse.

These thieves are scumbags wherever they come from. Time they did a few tv adverts putting them down which is the sort of stuff we get. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t but at least it tells people what the government thinks of them. We currently have adverts against violence towards health workers . Ok, patronising, but if it makes one or two think , good for them.

I can understand the manager wanting to protect her stock, and the adrenalin probably made her chase the thieves, but it's unwise to confront them, there are some crazy people about, they could have pulled a knife on her, it just isn't worth it.

My friend volunteered in Banardos.
She too would often see shoplifting and the manager would chase them down the road !!
Awful.

Meandrogrog

Doodledog

I suspect it's just as easy pickings for some people who have always lived in our country, and who see it as their country too. There is really no need to bring race into this.

Dishonesty is dishonesty, and people (from wherever they originate) stealing from a charity shop are particularly bad, as the whole set up depends on good will, from the donors, from the volunteers and from those paying for the goods.

I disagree, there is every reason to bring race in to this and perfectly acceptable to do so.

What is the reason?

It may be the case that some Romanians shoplift from charity shops, but it's not a genetic predisposition, and at a time when we are faced with attacks on people for their race/religion etc I can't see how it is perfectly acceptable to demonise any groups in this way. Maybe you see it as ok, but I reserve the right to object to stereotyping and prejudice, and to say so.

I went into a local pharmacy last week that I hadn’t been in for a few months. It was transformed. It had been made smaller, taking away the area where previously various goods , including toiletries, had been displayed. The biggest change, though, was that the counter had gone. In its place, was a high box like structure, which literally was level with my nose. The staff on the other side must have a platform to stand on. I can only assume that these changes had been made to counteract theft and abuse. How sad.

Petra- and does "giving them the look" work though?

We had one in the charity shop where I volunteer, she was a serial shoplifter……..She bought us a box of chocolates at Christmas!!! The cheek of it!

Doodledog

I suspect it's just as easy pickings for some people who have always lived in our country, and who see it as their country too. There is really no need to bring race into this.

Dishonesty is dishonesty, and people (from wherever they originate) stealing from a charity shop are particularly bad, as the whole set up depends on good will, from the donors, from the volunteers and from those paying for the goods.

I disagree, there is every reason to bring race in to this and perfectly acceptable to do so.

I have seen fellow shoppers doing it in well known supermarkets both in the UK and in Spain. They work in 2s or 3s. It goes unchallenged. It seems to be commonplace. In Spain I bought a packet of 5 mesli bars only to discover too late that the packet had been opened and 2 bars were missing! I had seen 2 teenage boys acting strangely there the day before. So that's what they were up to! There seem to be fuzzy ethics these days. Alot of thieving. Another time also in Spain 2 women tried to steal my purse, one ramming her trolley into mine, the other unzipping my backpack whilst I was distracted by the 1st. It was so blatant, shocking. The thing is, it probably works most of the time. Terrible times.

UfixI Thank you. I adore volunteering as I meet so many wonderful people. I would recommend anyone to do it.
Those of you who are lonely it’s the way to make friends. It’s a bit scary just the thought of it but getting through the door is the hardest part then lots of laughter and new friends.

I volunteered in an Oxfam shop 25 yrs ago and we often found tags torn off and hidden so it was happening then sadly too. Thank you for Volunteering, it helped me find my confidence to go back to work mid children.

Doodledog there is some right and flawed opinions here, race can be brought into it as charity shops in parts of Romania don’t exist. There are generally no security guards on the doors of charity shops but even if there were it doesn’t deter all the time. It’s all shocking and the lowest of the low

WithNobsOnIt

Doodledog

I suspect it's just as easy pickings for some people who have always lived in our country, and who see it as their country too. There is really no need to bring race into this.

Dishonesty is dishonesty, and people (from wherever they originate) stealing from a charity shop are particularly bad, as the whole set up depends on good will, from the donors, from the volunteers and from those paying for the goods.

I think Doodledog was just giving us the details of a real example of shoplifting. And was not in my opinion trying to bring race into at all.

Thank You Doodledog.

And thank you, WNOI.

I wasn't bringing race into it, you're right. That's the opposite of what I was doing.

Comrie26

I agree it's all very disappointing and frustrating but why blame people on benefits and of a different race when in reality it is people from all kinds of background and of many different cultures including British people. I find it equally disappointing that it is suggested that it is specific groups that are responsible.

I agree.

If possible, Photo, name & shame! It's wrong, STOP blaming cost of living, mental health etc. Shouldn't be allowed!

As stire staff are now told nit to challenge shoplifters why is there security staff. Probably to make sure staff don't steal rather than customers. Charity shops may be targeted as many culprits will think the stock is given to the store for free so they can help themselves for free too. No regard for costs incurred and the effort to help others with funds from sales.

Doodledog

I suspect it's just as easy pickings for some people who have always lived in our country, and who see it as their country too. There is really no need to bring race into this.

Dishonesty is dishonesty, and people (from wherever they originate) stealing from a charity shop are particularly bad, as the whole set up depends on good will, from the donors, from the volunteers and from those paying for the goods.

I think Doodledog was just giving us the details of a real example of shoplifting. And was not in my opinion trying to bring race into at all.

Thank You Doodledog.

My M& D use to work voluntarily in a charity shop for the homeless. The manageress use to take all the bags upstairs to sort out, (no one else was allowed up the stairs). My mum said her bag was full at the end of day with all the best stuff.
To me that’s a little like stealing as she never paid for anything.

The manager of a shop selling bedding and woollen throws, where I once worked in the Derbyshire Dales some years ago, used to load her daughter down with carriable goods every so often. Eventually, when the owner implemented stock checks, this manager blamed shoplifters. She had a large turnover of staff, too. I was one of them!

eazybee

I saw something similar happen years ago; a woman was asked politely if she would like to put by the item she had carried round the shop for some time. Instead, she threw it on the floor and ran out of the shop
That was in the days when shoplifting was regarded as an offence and she could have been arrested. Now she would simply walk out of the shop with it.
This is the culture of a burgeoning Welfare State; entitlement to something for nothing.

Just want to say, I am currently in receipt of some benefits, often cannot afford electricity or food, and this month am 60 short for my rent, this situation still hasn't made me go out and steal....... so please don't tar us all with the same brush

Re stealing from charity shops - I am also appalled at people who are lucky enough to find something of, in some instances, great value, then sell it at a huge profit - but don't donate some of that profit back to the charity!! Examples - 'Flog It' etc on T.V.

That is disgraceful. Do these people have no morals?

I agree it's all very disappointing and frustrating but why blame people on benefits and of a different race when in reality it is people from all kinds of background and of many different cultures including British people. I find it equally disappointing that it is suggested that it is specific groups that are responsible.

Peaseblossom

I think that shop assistants should be allowed to use pepper spray if they know that someone is taking something, and that will give them enough time for the police to come and sort them out. Although they'll probably just get a slap on the wrist anyway. If there's a sign on the door warning that this will happen, maybe it will stop people.

Pepper spray is illegal here but if you happened to have a can of Deep Heat about your person, that might just work instead..