Live News From Spain As It Happens

The shelves are stacked high with everything you need and lots of things you want. All around people are filling their trolleys with the week’s shopping, basic necessities and little treats. But, for many, the contents of their wallets and purses just will not stretch, even to the basics that their family needs for everyday living. The answer? Steal. These are not people who have made a habit of shoplifting, they are not people who would normally even think of taking something without paying, but economic pressures have created a new breed of thief. In general they are not stealing the luxury goods targeted by the professional and opportunist shoplifters, they are taking the basics, maybe just one bag of sugar, a jar of jam and perhaps, a little luxury item. But for the supermarkets and stores the problem is becoming enormous.

Throughout the region supermarkets, such as Carrefour and major stores like El Corte Inglés, are seeing their stock disappear in what they describe as “unknown losses.” Checkpoint, who provide anti-theft solution, have seen an increase of around 15 per cent in the security systems installed by their clients this year. Alongside this the stores have reduced their visible stock of products like alcohol, razors and deodorants which are favourite targets. Security video cameras have been installed and security personnel roam the store. It all costs money, but the stores hope that it will deter the thieves and the costs will eventually balance out.

The Spanish Police Federation say that thefts of this type have increased by 25 per cent in the first six months of 2009 and in Málaga city they have doubled. The Federation identifies two types of theft, that by youths, usually of alcohol or perfume which they may sell on, and, increasingly common, that by parents who are short of money and steal to consume.
However, the view of the supermarkets is that people are not stealing the basics. In hardship cases food cheques provide these, but thieves are taking the little extras that people got used to and now, in more austere times, still want. Shops also face the problem of the organised criminals who, in some areas, are stealing to order for households, who use the crisis to excuse their actions.
 

Source: Sur in English