Back to News
‘I’d steal 10-15 times a day’: ex-offenders on the addictions driving prolific shoplifting
UK NewsBusinessHealth•November 11, 2026 at 12:10 PMNational

‘I’d steal 10-15 times a day’: ex-offenders on the addictions driving prolific shoplifting

By Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent•The Guardian - UK News

Former shoplifters say treatment and drug rehabilitation are essential to ending cycle of theft and imprisonmentPolice to target 500 chronic shoplifters in retail crime crackdown in EnglandWhen Rhys, 34, stole goods from shops across Birmingham, he would often leave notes for the staff apologising for his actions.“I’d feel that guilty about it. I’d pass them notes, saying I’m so sorry about this,” he said. “But in the end, I was just that numb to it, and fearless as well. I’d walk in with a suitcase and ram everything into it, and not think twice about it.” Continue reading...

Former shoplifters say treatment and drug rehabilitation are essential to ending cycle of theft and imprisonment

When Rhys, 34, stole goods from shops across Birmingham, he would often leave notes for the staff apologising for his actions.

“I’d feel that guilty about it. I’d pass them notes, saying I’m so sorry about this,” he said. “But in the end, I was just that numb to it, and fearless as well. I’d walk in with a suitcase and ram everything into it, and not think twice about it.”

Continue reading...