THIEVES IN SHOPS

Evening Star, Issue 18532, 15 January 1924, Page 3

THIEVES IN SHOPS

CHILDREN TRAINED TO LIFT GOODS. MELBOURNE METHODS. In spite of tho precautions taken, the convictions recorded, and tho public exposure of woman thieves, shoplifting is on the increase (says a writer in the-'Mel-bourne ‘ Age'). The amateur thief is -comparatively rare, and when she is caught an effort is generally -made to bring her to her senses by a warning, there being little difficulty in trained officials detecting the criminal from one who has yielded to a moment of weakness, which she wall regret to the end of her life. Some of the firms have shown leniency again and again to these unfortunates, but others, weary of the continual thieving, have found it necessary to raako an example of every offender. In tho case of trained criminals, of whom there are gangs operating every day, with receivers waiting in some convenient spot close by, there is no other alternative but the police. So numerous is this class of thief, that even the trained detectives are unfamiliar with them all, " n d often a welldressed woman will itiaL® such a scene, attracting attention, and alarming other shoppers, and threatening her detectors with libel proceedings, that they are subjected to considerable embarrassment before the police arrive. It generally ends, however, in the perfect lady being addressed by her Christian name by the police, a quiet submission, and it is a case of “ Homo, John,” to the police station. During tho Christmas season practically all the larger firms have employed special staffs of detectives, but even then the gangs are undismayed. “ In spite of all our precautions,” said a representative of one of the leading firms last week, “we know that the shop is being ‘ worked.’ How do they get rid of the stuff ? Why, it is sold before it is stolen.” It is obvious that it pays both the thief and the receiver even to be caught, and there is only one conclusion to be drawn, and that is the punishment docs not by any means fit the crime. To begin with, the fines inflicted are ridiculously low. In many cases the fine is less than the value of the goods actually found in possession of tho thief, and there is always someone in the court to immediately pay the small amount inflicted.

The unblushing manner in which shoplifting is carried out is amazing to tha uninitiated. The millinery department is a favorite hunting ground, and it is no uncommon occurrence to find that mew hats have been exchanged for old, without the slightest consideration of money. A hat is tried on in the usual way, and at an opportune moment the fair wearer departs, to be seen no more—until the next time. Others wander into the show rooms, and under tho pretence of trying on some clothing, in a cubicle, will slip a hand out of tho door, unhook a frock from outside, and deposit it in a suit case in the twinkling of an eye, and they have even been known to extract dresses from show cases. Unless an assistant actually sees the frock disappear, it is a dangerous proceeding to accuse tho offender without definite proof. Cases have also been known where stolen slices have actually been returned to be exchanged because they either failed to fit or were odd pairs! Tha gangs generally work with young girls over whom., if they are not born thieves, they have obtained a “ hold.” For instance, some of the women take in boarders, and they will allow a likely girl’s board to get behind until the girl is unable to pay the whole amount at once, and then they will take her out shopping, and gently deposit some “ lifted ” goods into her bag or a pocket, and, by accusing hex of having stolen them, say; “Now, don’t you ever let on about mo, because you’re the saipe—and I won’t worry about the board.” Later they suggest screening the girl while she lifts, and so the game develops until sho is an accomplished thief. Once, however, she is caught or gets known, tho woman has no further time for her, and tho girl has generally become so demoralised that it is Hut a step to a life of complete crime and degradation. The most injurious type of thief, however, is the woman who employs her children to do the actual lifting. The usual method is to point to certain silks or furs or some such articles, and then go out of the shop, and the child, sometimes no older than five years of age, comes back, picks up a piece of eilk or what ever it may be, hides it under a coat, and joins the mother outside. If the child is detected the mother comes back with; “Oh, you aro a naughty girl,” and will probably make a great fuss if detained. This happened quite recently, and when the firm insisted on sending for the police it was found that the woman’s hag also contained a number of stolen articles from other shops. When such women are actually'caught and convicted, their children should be placed under the protection of the Neglected Children’s Department, as there is nothing to stop the mother, once she is released, from training the child in other directions of crime. As for the fines, considering tho rniall amount inflicted, it is folly to imagine they could possibly act as a. deterrent.