The Costs of Stealing...

There are many different types of Shop Lifting behaviour. Some people may label young children pinching a few 'one penny' sweets as shop lifters. Working at a super market myself, i am aware that most thiefs are amateurs often taking small items, although some can make a living from this bad behaviour, stealing a vast amount of produce.

I believe 'theft' in general has the same foundation, that you are taking someone else's property without permission yet i believe there are different degrees of theft. Obviously i wouldnt account stealing a bag of sweets at a shop, the same as burglary or fraud, although i do believe that any sort of theft is wrong.

Apart from the thrill of getting something for nothing, I had a close friend in the past that confided in me about his habit of stealing clothes. He explained that it wasn't so much the actual clothes that he wanted, it was actually the excitement and rush of being bad. And although he was actually caught on many occasions and had a decent job at the time, he still continued to steal. This emotional rush from stealing seem's to be the case for most thief's, even when they have money.

There are also many different punishment's for stealing around the world, in most cases the thief is kept in the store room until the police arrive and arrest them. Although in Germany theft is legally commited only if you hide the item!! Which in my opinion is the aim of most of stealing!

If you would like more information on deviant behaviour -www.beyond-the-pale.co.uk/shoplifting.htm