NCJ Number
82863
Journal
Social Defence Volume: 16 Issue: 64 Dated: (April 1981) Pages: 23-28
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This analysis of professional shoplifters in Vijayawada City, India, covers their socioeconomic characteristics, court dispositions, and behavior patterns and then suggests ways to reduce this type of crime.
Abstract
Data were gathered from police records and interviews with shoplifters and their associates. Shoplifting accounted for 7 percent of the crime in Vijayawada, a major city in Andhra which is notorious for crime. Of the sample of shoplifters, 53 percent were between 21 and 25 years old, 35 percent were between 26 and 30 years, and the rest were in the older age groups. Most shoplifters were from the forward castes -- Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vysya -- and the peasant castes. Approximately 87 percent were highly educated, and 43 percent were unemployed. Only 20 percent were from rural backgrounds. The data indicated that 37 percent had become criminals due to an unstable family life, while 63 percent had been influenced by bad friends precipitated by broken family relations. All worked with associates, although the number varied. These criminals select a shop in a busy location and are smartly dressed. While one distracts the owner with conversation, the other fills specially designed pockets with merchandise. They avoid going back to shops where they have shoplifted previously and have a strong code of ethics as a group. They also bribe police to avoid harassment and arrests. This crime is prevalent in Vijayawada because shopping complexes are inadequately policed and many shoplifters are acquitted for lack of evidence. Revised police operations, special rehabilitation programs, and public cooperation are needed. Footnotes and six references are included.