Strong Action Against Otematata Shoplifters

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30109, 18 April 1963, Page 7

Strong Action Against Otematata Shoplifters

A decision to take strong action against the steadily increasing rate of shoplifting in Otematata was made by a recent meeting of the Otematata Businessmen’s Association, according to the “Otematata Chronicle.”

The meeting discussed the recent prevalence of shoplifting in the township, the newspaper says. Shoplifting is a New Zealand-wide problem for retailers, and it was not suggested that the incidence in Otematata was higher than in other communities. At the same time, however, there was no doubt that the rate of shoplifting at Otematata was on the increase.

“All shops in the town have been affected to varying degrees by theft of stock,” it says. “One businessman has estimated his yearly losses at between £3OO and £5OO. It is extremely difficult accurately to gauge the amount that is lost through theft, but this one businessman can say that his losses would not be less than £3OO, and they could well be above £500.”

The type of merchandise being lifted ranged from crayfish to gold rings, and from fruit and groceries to clothing, says the newspaper. The highest casualty rate was probably in the sweet and toy ranges, attributable to children. “It is obvious, however, that many of the types of goods being stolen are removed by adults,” the newspaper says.

The degree of shoplifting by children reached its peak during the school holidays. During the last holidays, for instance, 14 children were caught trying to steal goods in one shop alone. There were indications that many more children were involved. The businessmen's association said that the attitude of many parents was very important in solving the problem. Many responsible parents had returned or paid for goods that had not been missed, and had taken the

necessary disciplinary action to protect their children from future trouble, but a small minority had tended to treat the matter far too lightly. The position with adults was a more difficult one, said the association. The recent prosecution of an Otematata woman, was an indication of the sterner attitude which it was agreed would be taken by all members of the association in future. Members were unanimous that any adult detected in the future would be prosecuted without further warning, the newspaper says.