| This Country is broken. 18:24 - Aug 13 with 1469 views | MK1 |
Theft from Charity shops is at an all time high. I didn't even know that people stole from them, but it's up 20% nationwide from last year.
Gutter fodder, the lot of them. |  |
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| This Country is broken. on 18:30 - Aug 13 with 1413 views | jontysnut |
I was in Wakefield recently and a few charity shops were connected by walkie talkie ( or whatever the modern version is) sharing the movements of known wrong 'uns. |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 18:31 - Aug 13 with 1401 views | homer_123 |
| This Country is broken. on 18:30 - Aug 13 by jontysnut |
I was in Wakefield recently and a few charity shops were connected by walkie talkie ( or whatever the modern version is) sharing the movements of known wrong 'uns. |
Cups and string? |  |
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| This Country is broken. on 18:32 - Aug 13 with 1395 views | Swansea_Blue |
Yeah, all shops seem to be struggling. The amount of items that have security tags on them is getting ridiculous. Even stuff for just a few quid. And loads of foods. Are people getting increasingly immoral/scummy, or are they increasingly desperate? |  |
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| This Country is broken. on 18:35 - Aug 13 with 1378 views | Axeldalai_lama |
Whilst I understand your point, how desperate must you be to steal from a charity shop? I doubt they're selling it on down the pub for a huge profit, I imagine it'll be clothes for themselves or kids, maybe toys for kids too. None of which makes it right of course, but possibly easier to forgive. |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 19:00 - Aug 13 with 1275 views | MK1 |
| This Country is broken. on 18:35 - Aug 13 by Axeldalai_lama |
Whilst I understand your point, how desperate must you be to steal from a charity shop? I doubt they're selling it on down the pub for a huge profit, I imagine it'll be clothes for themselves or kids, maybe toys for kids too. None of which makes it right of course, but possibly easier to forgive. |
No forgiveness from me. People donate to try and help deserving Charities, not low life who think the world owes them something. | |
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| This Country is broken. on 19:18 - Aug 13 with 1213 views | tonybied |
Is it scummy people are getting more common and stealing from easy targets, or is it that more people are getting desperate and struggling to survive, turning to this as a way to get by. As pointed out by another poster it's hardly likely it's being done to sell on and make a profit. It's just another side effect of the cost of living crisis, is it not?
Perhaps I'm just naive. |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 19:18 - Aug 13 with 1206 views | bartyg |
| This Country is broken. on 19:00 - Aug 13 by MK1 |
No forgiveness from me. People donate to try and help deserving Charities, not low life who think the world owes them something. |
Compassion you describe that is lacking from your posts.
Who, pray tell, are the charities set up for?
Maybe we should be considering what is driving increasing numbers of people to steal food and clothes. |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 19:37 - Aug 13 with 1109 views | MK1 |
| This Country is broken. on 19:18 - Aug 13 by bartyg |
Compassion you describe that is lacking from your posts.
Who, pray tell, are the charities set up for?
Maybe we should be considering what is driving increasing numbers of people to steal food and clothes. |
If I donate clothes to The British Heart Foundation, I expect them to make some money from them. It's not just hard up people who shop in Charity shops by the way. Just because you can't afford something, doesn't give you the right to just take it. Maybe ask if they have clothes in the stores that they may be able to let you have for free or at a discounted price. Some of the clothes donated don't make it to the shop floor. No need for theft. | |
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| This Country is broken. on 19:49 - Aug 13 with 1051 views | BlueBadger |
| This Country is broken. on 19:18 - Aug 13 by tonybied |
Is it scummy people are getting more common and stealing from easy targets, or is it that more people are getting desperate and struggling to survive, turning to this as a way to get by. As pointed out by another poster it's hardly likely it's being done to sell on and make a profit. It's just another side effect of the cost of living crisis, is it not?
Perhaps I'm just naive. |
Realistically, probably a little from column A and a little from column B. We've spent the last 15 years as a country fostering a culture of intolerance to anyone poor, vulnerable or 'different' and actively legislating and making policy about it.
This will make a lot of people fall into one of these two camps.
[Post edited 13 Aug 19:51]
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| This Country is broken. on 20:01 - Aug 13 with 948 views | Pendejo |
I used to volunteer at a hub that gave everything away... and people still "stole" stuff, by that I mean the general rule was "take what you need, no need for greed" there were various groups that would take everything off the rail, any and every size. |  |
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| This Country is broken. on 20:17 - Aug 13 with 880 views | J2BLUE |
I remember laughing at a sign in a charity shop saying thieves would be prosecuted when I was a kid. It seemed so absurd anyone would steal from there.
It's now the reason I don't put anything in those charity clothing banks as some people dig out the donations and go through them.
No doubt part is desperation. Part is people being absolute scum. |  |
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| This Country is broken. on 22:21 - Aug 13 with 703 views | Swansea_Blue |
| This Country is broken. on 19:18 - Aug 13 by tonybied |
Is it scummy people are getting more common and stealing from easy targets, or is it that more people are getting desperate and struggling to survive, turning to this as a way to get by. As pointed out by another poster it's hardly likely it's being done to sell on and make a profit. It's just another side effect of the cost of living crisis, is it not?
Perhaps I'm just naive. |
I asked the same question as I’m unsure (naive?) too. A very quick search suggests desperation is part of the story. Just so unnecessary given all the money flowing around. Surely as the 6th(?) richest society we can find a way to not leave people so desperate that they resort to having to steal to eat. It’s a travesty.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07zr9vpveyo.amp | |
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| This Country is broken. on 23:20 - Aug 13 with 610 views | StNeotsBlue |
| This Country is broken. on 18:35 - Aug 13 by Axeldalai_lama |
Whilst I understand your point, how desperate must you be to steal from a charity shop? I doubt they're selling it on down the pub for a huge profit, I imagine it'll be clothes for themselves or kids, maybe toys for kids too. None of which makes it right of course, but possibly easier to forgive. |
You'll get the odd old girl/boy who gets their thrills from nicking stuff just for the sake of it. But they're a tiny minority, the majority will be smackheads and crack addled sorts who are desperate for nothing else but their next score.
Needs to be more education at an early age of the dangers of drugs, more focus on rehabilitation rather than lock them up to punish purely for sake of appearing to do something, rather than actually doing anything that might produce good results for all our society. |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 06:54 - Aug 14 with 458 views | Axeldalai_lama |
| This Country is broken. on 23:20 - Aug 13 by StNeotsBlue |
You'll get the odd old girl/boy who gets their thrills from nicking stuff just for the sake of it. But they're a tiny minority, the majority will be smackheads and crack addled sorts who are desperate for nothing else but their next score.
Needs to be more education at an early age of the dangers of drugs, more focus on rehabilitation rather than lock them up to punish purely for sake of appearing to do something, rather than actually doing anything that might produce good results for all our society. |
Forgive my ignorance, but my local charity shop sells 3 dvds CDs and books for £1. Second hand clothes for a couple of quid, toys from 50p. How are these crack addicts finding a market who are fine with people's second hand goods, but won't pay 33p for a book, or £1 or £2 for a toy or t shirt? And even if there was such a market they'd be in and out of the charity shop with armfuls of stuff before making enough for their habit, Shirley?
Like I said I'm almost definitely missing something, so happy to be educated.
For clarity I'm not supporting these people or saying it's right on any level, of course stealing is wrong, just seeking to understand as the picture painted by some here doesn't add up to me. [Post edited 14 Aug 6:55]
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| This Country is broken. on 07:06 - Aug 14 with 424 views | SonOfSpock |
Shoplifting has effectively been decriminalised so sadly people will do it anywhere. It's even poorer form to do it on charity shops |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 08:37 - Aug 14 with 297 views | DJR |
Public Perception vs. Reality
Public perception of crime often diverges from reality. A 2024 survey by think tank More in Common revealed that 69% of respondents believed crime rates were rising. However, data indicates that most types of crime have been in decline for decades.
The disconnect can be attributed to:
Media Influence: Sensationalist headlines focus on high-profile crimes, reinforcing fears.
Selective Political Rhetoric: Politicians often highlight specific data points to support their agendas.
Personal Experience: Individual encounters with crime or anecdotal evidence can skew perceptions.
This misalignment has real-world consequences, influencing voter behavior and policy priorities. |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 09:40 - Aug 14 with 203 views | OldFart71 |
Unfortunately whilst the Police regards theft as a minor crime and just gives the shop a number to give to their insurance company it will continue.
Recently a shop put in it's window " Due to a scumbag stealing from this shop please ask for assistance to unlock the cabinets" The police apparently turned up and told them to remove it as you cannot call someone a scumbag. Well that's what they are and if the police fail to do anything about it why shouldn't a shop protect its interests or are we now in a society where anything goes.
80,000 mobiles pinched in London in the last year and knife crime going through the roof.
We are heading for Britain being a third world lawless society. |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 09:59 - Aug 14 with 171 views | Bluefields |
| This Country is broken. on 09:40 - Aug 14 by OldFart71 |
Unfortunately whilst the Police regards theft as a minor crime and just gives the shop a number to give to their insurance company it will continue.
Recently a shop put in it's window " Due to a scumbag stealing from this shop please ask for assistance to unlock the cabinets" The police apparently turned up and told them to remove it as you cannot call someone a scumbag. Well that's what they are and if the police fail to do anything about it why shouldn't a shop protect its interests or are we now in a society where anything goes.
80,000 mobiles pinched in London in the last year and knife crime going through the roof.
We are heading for Britain being a third world lawless society. |
Yesterdays figures suggest crime is down in London.
Do you see a 3rd world society anywhere near you or in any city you have visited recently?
Ive visited London and Newcastle in the last month and I didnt get that feeling. Both vibrant with lots of ethnicities enjoying themselves. | | | |
| This Country is broken. on 10:07 - Aug 14 with 139 views | CoachRob |
| This Country is broken. on 09:40 - Aug 14 by OldFart71 |
Unfortunately whilst the Police regards theft as a minor crime and just gives the shop a number to give to their insurance company it will continue.
Recently a shop put in it's window " Due to a scumbag stealing from this shop please ask for assistance to unlock the cabinets" The police apparently turned up and told them to remove it as you cannot call someone a scumbag. Well that's what they are and if the police fail to do anything about it why shouldn't a shop protect its interests or are we now in a society where anything goes.
80,000 mobiles pinched in London in the last year and knife crime going through the roof.
We are heading for Britain being a third world lawless society. |
I've attended a few events at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) based at Cambridge University and nobody has ever mentioned phone theft as the basis for the collapse of modern civilisation. |  | | |
| This Country is broken. on 10:14 - Aug 14 with 114 views | BrentwoodBlagger2 |
| This Country is broken. on 09:59 - Aug 14 by Bluefields |
Yesterdays figures suggest crime is down in London.
Do you see a 3rd world society anywhere near you or in any city you have visited recently?
Ive visited London and Newcastle in the last month and I didnt get that feeling. Both vibrant with lots of ethnicities enjoying themselves. |
Reported crime is down in London because no one bothers reporting it anymore - also the 'crime figures' are from Sadiq Khan. I work in different areas of London most days and see the criminal 'goings on' most days. | | | |
| This Country is broken. on 10:14 - Aug 14 with 110 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
| This Country is broken. on 09:59 - Aug 14 by Bluefields |
Yesterdays figures suggest crime is down in London.
Do you see a 3rd world society anywhere near you or in any city you have visited recently?
Ive visited London and Newcastle in the last month and I didnt get that feeling. Both vibrant with lots of ethnicities enjoying themselves. |
It’s only down for the latest quarter - too early to suggest it’s a trend.
The official ONS stats show 4 consecutive annual increases in knife offences in London. I won’t bother posting the official stats again as it just got me a flurry of downvotes. Unfortunately people are willing to accept whatever cherry picked stats their favourite MP throws out. If you use Khan’s tenure as a benchmark it’s increased every year - admittedly central funding is part of that, but to dismiss people’s concerns around crime isn’t fair when it’s at a four year high (even when taking into account the latest quarter.
Difficult to find objectivity in politics these days - people are so entrenched on a ‘side’. | | | |
| This Country is broken. on 10:17 - Aug 14 with 99 views | Wright1 |
| This Country is broken. on 19:37 - Aug 13 by MK1 |
If I donate clothes to The British Heart Foundation, I expect them to make some money from them. It's not just hard up people who shop in Charity shops by the way. Just because you can't afford something, doesn't give you the right to just take it. Maybe ask if they have clothes in the stores that they may be able to let you have for free or at a discounted price. Some of the clothes donated don't make it to the shop floor. No need for theft. |
You sound lovely | | | |
| This Country is broken. on 10:42 - Aug 14 with 66 views | Swansea_Blue |
| This Country is broken. on 10:14 - Aug 14 by SuperKieranMcKenna |
It’s only down for the latest quarter - too early to suggest it’s a trend.
The official ONS stats show 4 consecutive annual increases in knife offences in London. I won’t bother posting the official stats again as it just got me a flurry of downvotes. Unfortunately people are willing to accept whatever cherry picked stats their favourite MP throws out. If you use Khan’s tenure as a benchmark it’s increased every year - admittedly central funding is part of that, but to dismiss people’s concerns around crime isn’t fair when it’s at a four year high (even when taking into account the latest quarter.
Difficult to find objectivity in politics these days - people are so entrenched on a ‘side’. |
Agreed on the quarterly cherry picking (Khan’s tweet was meaningless political advertising; your links to the 2015-25 data proved that). However, that wider picture is also cherry picked to some degree, as it’s still focussed on areas known to be a problem (like knife crime).
When you zoom out even further and consider more types of crime, it’s certainly not all the doom and gloom the papers would have us believe. Crime against individuals is generally down on a decadal time scale across England and Wales (sexual assault a notable exception). Violent crime has dropped significantly, for example (75% lower than in 1995). Theft is down, criminal damage is down. The overall crime rate is down. Increases in things like fraud offset the general reductions we’re seeing.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/cr | |
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