Retail worker and shoplifter here:
(caveat: this is in London, where people and workers don't really care so much about shoplifting)
The most important tip is to do things confidently. Don't spend time looking around to see who's looking, just go about like you're shopping normally and wait for opportunities. Sleight of hand works wonders too if you think you're being watched.
The two best times to steal are the busiest time of day and the quietest - preferably at night if the store is 24 hrs
You can get away with a lot more as a couple, so if you have a shoplifting or romantic partner take them with you
Bring a newish shopping bag from the place you're shopping at or from a different shop that's nearby. You can literally just stick things in there as long as employees don't see and just walk out with it later.
Coat pockets are good for flat-ish stuff.
You can purchase security tag magnets online, they will fit in a pocket.
Make sure you know the layout of the store first, and find good places to slip stuff into your bags or pockets. Generally you don't have to worry about security cameras as long as you don't get caught, since they aren't really used to catch people.
I'm not sure if this still works, but lining a bag with foil used to block security tag signals. I've not tried this for years so the tech might be more advanced now.
If someone stops you, they legally cannot block you from leaving (I believe this is the same in the US too). Most security guards can however. I recommend only stealing from places that you don't mind potentially being banned from. This is for the UK but may apply for other countries too: as long as you don't steal over a certain amount (smth like £230 IIRC), it's not a crime and the police likely won't be contacted.
Edit: another thing, generally don't steal stuff to sell, only steal groceries. Workers and security at DIY places or just anywhere they have small, expensive, easily sold items are going to be more on the lookout for shoplifters
Noted, I assume the difference is it not being your first offence? I was caught with about £60 worth earlier this year and they let me off, just had to pay. They said something like 200 means they will call the police as its a crime or something
It depends on if your dealing with shop security or the police( a lot of big chains have an always call the police policy), my experience conforms to yours in that minimum wage workers won't be that bothered if they catch you if you return the items, and will probably just give you a ban
With the police I think it's up to the discretion of the duty sergeant whether to charge for low value thefts, but I have a relativity extensive 'rap sheet' and the local pigs aren't my biggest fans so that's probably why the decided to do me over such a small amount
Retail worker and shoplifter here: (caveat: this is in London, where people and workers don't really care so much about shoplifting)
The most important tip is to do things confidently. Don't spend time looking around to see who's looking, just go about like you're shopping normally and wait for opportunities. Sleight of hand works wonders too if you think you're being watched.
The two best times to steal are the busiest time of day and the quietest - preferably at night if the store is 24 hrs
You can get away with a lot more as a couple, so if you have a shoplifting or romantic partner take them with you
Bring a newish shopping bag from the place you're shopping at or from a different shop that's nearby. You can literally just stick things in there as long as employees don't see and just walk out with it later.
Coat pockets are good for flat-ish stuff.
You can purchase security tag magnets online, they will fit in a pocket.
Make sure you know the layout of the store first, and find good places to slip stuff into your bags or pockets. Generally you don't have to worry about security cameras as long as you don't get caught, since they aren't really used to catch people.
I'm not sure if this still works, but lining a bag with foil used to block security tag signals. I've not tried this for years so the tech might be more advanced now.
If someone stops you, they legally cannot block you from leaving (I believe this is the same in the US too). Most security guards can however. I recommend only stealing from places that you don't mind potentially being banned from. This is for the UK but may apply for other countries too: as long as you don't steal over a certain amount (smth like £230 IIRC), it's not a crime and the police likely won't be contacted.
Edit: another thing, generally don't steal stuff to sell, only steal groceries. Workers and security at DIY places or just anywhere they have small, expensive, easily sold items are going to be more on the lookout for shoplifters
I agree with your post apart from this, I have a conviction for shoplifting less than £20 worth of shit(although it wasn't my first offence)
Noted, I assume the difference is it not being your first offence? I was caught with about £60 worth earlier this year and they let me off, just had to pay. They said something like 200 means they will call the police as its a crime or something
It depends on if your dealing with shop security or the police( a lot of big chains have an always call the police policy), my experience conforms to yours in that minimum wage workers won't be that bothered if they catch you if you return the items, and will probably just give you a ban
With the police I think it's up to the discretion of the duty sergeant whether to charge for low value thefts, but I have a relativity extensive 'rap sheet' and the local pigs aren't my biggest fans so that's probably why the decided to do me over such a small amount
In the US any dollar amount is a crime, it varies by store though what amount they're willing to call the pigs over.