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| Why do well-off people shoplift? | Why do well-off people shoplift? |
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| By Kathryn Westcott BBC News Magazine | By Kathryn Westcott BBC News Magazine |
| Chef Antony Worrall Thompson has apologised for shoplifting from a supermarket. But what makes people steal things when they have enough money to pay? | Chef Antony Worrall Thompson has apologised for shoplifting from a supermarket. But what makes people steal things when they have enough money to pay? |
| Worrall Thompson has apologised for his "stupid and irresponsible actions", after being cautioned by police for leaving a branch of Tesco without paying for small value items. He had reportedly done this on five separate occasions. | Worrall Thompson has apologised for his "stupid and irresponsible actions", after being cautioned by police for leaving a branch of Tesco without paying for small value items. He had reportedly done this on five separate occasions. |
| The 60-year-old has spoken of the shame of letting his family and friends down. The big question, he says, is "why". | The 60-year-old has spoken of the shame of letting his family and friends down. The big question, he says, is "why". |
| Experts agree that in these cases, shoplifting is rarely about genuinely needing the item that is stolen. It is often about seizing the opportunity to momentarily exercise control when the perception is one of powerlessness. | Experts agree that in these cases, shoplifting is rarely about genuinely needing the item that is stolen. It is often about seizing the opportunity to momentarily exercise control when the perception is one of powerlessness. |
| Research by retail consultants Global Retail Theft Barometer and Checkpoint Systems has suggested a new wave of middle-class shoplifter is targeting high-end delicacies from supermarkets in order to maintain a lifestyle they could no longer afford. These are people who appear to be reputable and often justify their actions by arguing that they have become victims to the economic recession. | Research by retail consultants Global Retail Theft Barometer and Checkpoint Systems has suggested a new wave of middle-class shoplifter is targeting high-end delicacies from supermarkets in order to maintain a lifestyle they could no longer afford. These are people who appear to be reputable and often justify their actions by arguing that they have become victims to the economic recession. |
| But in most cases of stealing by what psychologists describe as "non-professional shoplifters" - those who don't steal for profit or resale, or to feed a drug or alcohol addiction - there is much more going on. | But in most cases of stealing by what psychologists describe as "non-professional shoplifters" - those who don't steal for profit or resale, or to feed a drug or alcohol addiction - there is much more going on. |
| A devastated Worrall Thompson, in an interview with the Daily Express, said that he was unable to comprehend what compelled him to take items such as onions, a sandwich, cheese and wine. | A devastated Worrall Thompson, in an interview with the Daily Express, said that he was unable to comprehend what compelled him to take items such as onions, a sandwich, cheese and wine. |
| "I've been racking my brains to think why on earth did I do it and what was going through my mind at the time," he said. | "I've been racking my brains to think why on earth did I do it and what was going through my mind at the time," he said. |
| Experts say this is a typical response from a "non-professional shoplifter". | Experts say this is a typical response from a "non-professional shoplifter". |
| Shoplifting is generally a reaction to some kind of loss and a need to fill a void - real or perceived, says Barbara Staib of the National Association For Shoplifting Prevention in the US. | Shoplifting is generally a reaction to some kind of loss and a need to fill a void - real or perceived, says Barbara Staib of the National Association For Shoplifting Prevention in the US. |
| "Shoplifters are generally honest citizens," she says, adding that research has revealed a "direct correlation between depression and shoplifting". | "Shoplifters are generally honest citizens," she says, adding that research has revealed a "direct correlation between depression and shoplifting". |
| She explains that while other people might turn to alcohol, or binge eating, others turn to shoplifting. | She explains that while other people might turn to alcohol, or binge eating, others turn to shoplifting. |
| "Some people are trying to find solace in shoplifting," she says. "It gives them the 'rush', a 'high' - it can be a relief, if only a temporary one, as they suffer remorse afterward, when they get caught. | "Some people are trying to find solace in shoplifting," she says. "It gives them the 'rush', a 'high' - it can be a relief, if only a temporary one, as they suffer remorse afterward, when they get caught. |
| "These are people who go into a store and the opportunity arises. For some reason they rationalise, they convince themselves that it's OK - for that moment. This is maladaptive behaviour - a way of coping with things that are going on in those people's lives." | "These are people who go into a store and the opportunity arises. For some reason they rationalise, they convince themselves that it's OK - for that moment. This is maladaptive behaviour - a way of coping with things that are going on in those people's lives." |
| Worrall Thompson joins a list of people in the public eye who have been accused of shoplifting. A decade ago, American actress Winona Ryder was convicted of stealing thousands of dollars worth of clothes. | Worrall Thompson joins a list of people in the public eye who have been accused of shoplifting. A decade ago, American actress Winona Ryder was convicted of stealing thousands of dollars worth of clothes. |
| In an interview with Vogue magazine a few years later, she blamed her actions on painkillers that she said she had got from a "quack" doctor after breaking her arm a few months earlier. | In an interview with Vogue magazine a few years later, she blamed her actions on painkillers that she said she had got from a "quack" doctor after breaking her arm a few months earlier. |
| The painkillers, she said, left her in a state of "confusion". | The painkillers, she said, left her in a state of "confusion". |
| Canadian psychologist Dr Will Cupchik has spent decades researching and working with what he describes as "atypical theft offenders" - the wealthy, celebrities or those in the public eye. The last thing these people need, he says, is to steal. | Canadian psychologist Dr Will Cupchik has spent decades researching and working with what he describes as "atypical theft offenders" - the wealthy, celebrities or those in the public eye. The last thing these people need, he says, is to steal. |
| "There are many reasons why people who have so much to lose risk so much for so little," he says. "These are people who are reasonably well off and are basically honest. | "There are many reasons why people who have so much to lose risk so much for so little," he says. "These are people who are reasonably well off and are basically honest. |
| "This is not typically about risk-taking - it's not done just for the thrill of it." | "This is not typically about risk-taking - it's not done just for the thrill of it." |
| He believes that the shoplifting episodes are a response to what those people perceive as an experienced or anticipated "unfair, personally meaningful loss". | He believes that the shoplifting episodes are a response to what those people perceive as an experienced or anticipated "unfair, personally meaningful loss". |
| This might include anything from losing a TV show, to problems with an intimate relationship or a child with an illness, he says. | This might include anything from losing a TV show, to problems with an intimate relationship or a child with an illness, he says. |
| "[The shoplifting] can be described as a hole that they want to fill - in the same way that people eat too much, drink too much or work too much." | "[The shoplifting] can be described as a hole that they want to fill - in the same way that people eat too much, drink too much or work too much." |
| And in many cases, when caught, their behaviour doesn't make sense to them. | And in many cases, when caught, their behaviour doesn't make sense to them. |
| "In most cases, timing is important," Cupchik says. "I say to people, 'Tell me what happened in your life either earlier that day or the day before', and it will often be something profound." | "In most cases, timing is important," Cupchik says. "I say to people, 'Tell me what happened in your life either earlier that day or the day before', and it will often be something profound." |
| He relates the story of a top lawyer who stole a tube of toothpaste from a chemist in the same building as his law firm. | He relates the story of a top lawyer who stole a tube of toothpaste from a chemist in the same building as his law firm. |
| "'I don't know why I did it,' he told me, but that day his child was in hospital undergoing chemotherapy. These are intelligent people who virtually never understand why they did what they did." | "'I don't know why I did it,' he told me, but that day his child was in hospital undergoing chemotherapy. These are intelligent people who virtually never understand why they did what they did." |
| And, he says, there is usually a symbolic meaningfulness to the item being stolen. He describes one lady who stole items that she subsequently donated to a charity shop. | And, he says, there is usually a symbolic meaningfulness to the item being stolen. He describes one lady who stole items that she subsequently donated to a charity shop. |
| One of those items was a wrench. He says the woman didn't understand why she took the wrench but when quizzed about what was going on in her life at the time, she said that her husband, a mechanic, had cancer. | One of those items was a wrench. He says the woman didn't understand why she took the wrench but when quizzed about what was going on in her life at the time, she said that her husband, a mechanic, had cancer. |
| Recent research carried out by Cupchik in North America indicates that more doctors, nurses and police officers have been involved in shoplifting than any other profession. | Recent research carried out by Cupchik in North America indicates that more doctors, nurses and police officers have been involved in shoplifting than any other profession. |
| "These are professions that deal with loss - such as loss of life - on a daily basis. They don't process how to handle the experience of loss." | "These are professions that deal with loss - such as loss of life - on a daily basis. They don't process how to handle the experience of loss." |
| Like many "non-professional" shoplifters, Worrall Thompson has expressed shame over his actions, describing the day he got caught as "the least proud day of my life". | Like many "non-professional" shoplifters, Worrall Thompson has expressed shame over his actions, describing the day he got caught as "the least proud day of my life". |
| "People can be very ashamed," says Staib. "One woman told us that she wished she was an alcoholic instead of a shoplifter." | "People can be very ashamed," says Staib. "One woman told us that she wished she was an alcoholic instead of a shoplifter." |
| The woman explained that if she had told friends that she was an alcoholic and seeking treatment they would commend her for dealing with her problem. But if she told friends that she was a shoplifter and dealing with it, it would be a very different response. | The woman explained that if she had told friends that she was an alcoholic and seeking treatment they would commend her for dealing with her problem. But if she told friends that she was a shoplifter and dealing with it, it would be a very different response. |
| "She said they would be afraid of her," says Staib. "People see shoplifting as more of a black-and-white issue - thou shalt not steal. In the US, someone who shoplifts is a "dirtbag" or a "loser". We can excuse alcoholics but a shoplifter may have the same issues - it is very complicated. It is an addiction and they need treatment. | "She said they would be afraid of her," says Staib. "People see shoplifting as more of a black-and-white issue - thou shalt not steal. In the US, someone who shoplifts is a "dirtbag" or a "loser". We can excuse alcoholics but a shoplifter may have the same issues - it is very complicated. It is an addiction and they need treatment. |
| However, she stresses that none of this makes their behaviour acceptable. "There are some very poor, distraught people who don't shoplift," she says. | However, she stresses that none of this makes their behaviour acceptable. "There are some very poor, distraught people who don't shoplift," she says. |
| The British TV chef has said that while there have been many things going on in his life, including stress and the funerals of a couple of friends, he was not trying to make excuses for his actions. | The British TV chef has said that while there have been many things going on in his life, including stress and the funerals of a couple of friends, he was not trying to make excuses for his actions. |
| Send us your comments using the form below. A selection will be published later. | Send us your comments using the form below. A selection will be published later. |
| It's a power and control thing really and the least likely people are at greater risk because they're used to success and being in control. When that doesn't happen, human nature often dictates that control must be regained in some small and petty way with theft being a good example. It's often a cry for help. | It's a power and control thing really and the least likely people are at greater risk because they're used to success and being in control. When that doesn't happen, human nature often dictates that control must be regained in some small and petty way with theft being a good example. It's often a cry for help. |
| Jon, UK | Jon, UK |
| This I see in my voluntary work often with people who are dealing with loss. At any level the depressed feelings from what I see often lead the subconcious self to beat us up in many different ways, in this instant by stealing. With Depressed feelings it is often a battle between a hurt sub concious trying to take control often bringing us down beating us up and our concious self trying to rationalise. That's why we need to understand how we work and disconnect from technology and modern delusion and connect with who we are emotionally. | This I see in my voluntary work often with people who are dealing with loss. At any level the depressed feelings from what I see often lead the subconcious self to beat us up in many different ways, in this instant by stealing. With Depressed feelings it is often a battle between a hurt sub concious trying to take control often bringing us down beating us up and our concious self trying to rationalise. That's why we need to understand how we work and disconnect from technology and modern delusion and connect with who we are emotionally. |
| Joan, Derry City | Joan, Derry City |
| Sometimes the thrill turns into a habit, habit into a psychological illness | Sometimes the thrill turns into a habit, habit into a psychological illness |
| Lilibeth Borra, Paranaque City, Philippines | Lilibeth Borra, Paranaque City, Philippines |
| Why do well off people get away with a 'warning'? Most large stores display signs saying ' We will prosecute ALL shoplifter'. Why did Tescos, not prosecute as is their policy. Do they only prosecute 'poor' people? | Why do well off people get away with a 'warning'? Most large stores display signs saying ' We will prosecute ALL shoplifter'. Why did Tescos, not prosecute as is their policy. Do they only prosecute 'poor' people? |
| Steve Couldwell, Rotherham | Steve Couldwell, Rotherham |
| Stealing for an addiction is quite something different to stealing for the sake of it or because of bad news. There are millions of addicts everyday that suffer from addiction but pay for the addiction with their own money, that they probably earnt working. These addicts are constantly battling with themselves over the addiction but dont then go out and steal from someone!! I just cant feel sorry for someone who steals from another person or company. I can say this having worked for the police specifically on shoplifiting. | Stealing for an addiction is quite something different to stealing for the sake of it or because of bad news. There are millions of addicts everyday that suffer from addiction but pay for the addiction with their own money, that they probably earnt working. These addicts are constantly battling with themselves over the addiction but dont then go out and steal from someone!! I just cant feel sorry for someone who steals from another person or company. I can say this having worked for the police specifically on shoplifiting. |
| Matthew Kerr, Southampton | Matthew Kerr, Southampton |
| The most tragic example of this type of shoplifting must surely be that of Lady Isobel Barnett, regular panellist on 'What's My Line' on early BBC TV. Accused of stealing a can of tuna and a carton of cream worth 87p from her village grocer, she was found guilty in 1980 of shoplifting and fined £75. Four days later she killed herself. | |
| Noel Jones, Norfolk | |
| Over the last few years, I've suffered some major setbacks - relationship breakdown, loss of home, close family bereavements - but have never nicked anything ... I can forgive someone stealing food if they really need it (so much is chucked away in our society), but not these ego maniacs.... | |
| Marc, London | |
| As a child, aged around 12-16, I shoplifted regularly, mostly books. While it was partly to do with being too poor to afford to buy them, it was also very much about needing some sense of power and control of my reality, which as a child, I of course didn't have. And books of course represented knowledge, information, and thus power. As I grew up, that sense of control and power also grew, with the result that I stopped stealing. Today, there are still books and other items I would like, but can't afford, but I no longer feel any urge whatsoever to dishonestly acquire them. | |
| Rob, London | |
| Over 30 years ago I was working as a trained Nurse in a central Scotland hospital when relatives of a deceased patient complained to the police that some rings belonging to the deceased person were missing. Although I had not been on-duty when this person died, I had my room in the Nurse's home searched by the police and was interviewed in a most frightening manner on my return to the hospital (I had been on days off at my parents home). Although no charges were made I was left devasted by the way I was treated by the police. I still feel that incident changed my whole personality and outlook on life. | |
| Sara, UK | |
| This sounds a geniune illness. If so, why did the police give him a caution (and hence, a temporary criminal record) when he was not capable of controlling his actions and in a state of automatism - which doesn't attract criminal liablity? If someone is sick they should not be criminalised and their illness should be confidential - not blasted all over the media. It's a very odd sort of justice where a non-voluntary action can be made criminal. Why did the police not get a medical report first? | |
| C M Charles, London | |
| I understand the compulsion to self destruct, whilst I have never shoplifted I have in the past engaged in other actions which I would never normally countenance. It took me years to realise instances of doing these foolish things (drinking too much, spending excessive amounts of money, getting into trouble at work) coincided with bouts of depression. It is sort of like a diversion, if I am having to deal with the consequences of some minor misdemeanour at work I didn't have to address the underlying cause of the depression/stress. Even now that I am aware I am prone to do this I still have difficulty in identifying when I am starting to slide down into depression - it is more often than not the case more that I will realise I am about to do something stupid, stop myself and in asking why realise I have not dealt with some pressing personal issue! It's no sort of excuse, but I understand and fully sympathise with people in the public eye who find themselves in this situation. I just hope they realise as I did and try to deal with the underlying issues | |
| Ian, Bournemouth | |
| I worked in retail for over 7 years, apart from your stereotypical thieves, who stole for profit, it regularly shocked me the amount of people who would steal that could quite obviously afford the goods. There was an elderly couple who did their weekly shop every Sat, they would give the staff Christmas cards and were a lovely couple. They would quite often spend over a £100 on their weekly shop and always stop to chat. Then one day they were caught trying to pinch a joint of beef, they admitted the charge and were banned, never saw them again. Most of our Managers used to tell us to let it go and would not prosecute as it costs to much in the courts and would rarely get a conviction, so banning people was the usual option. | |
| Mark Rowland, Wellington | |
| I always find it funny that, once caught, this 'habit'; this 'addiction'; this so called need to counter 'feelings of powerlessness'; is almost immediatly regretted, the 'cure' is almost instant and the deed apologised for.......more like sorry for being caught! Tell you what grow a backbone; develop some values and morals and be thankful for what you do have. Don't steal! You weak willed bunch of Politicians; hooded youth's and now.....CELEBRITY CHEF'S....!!!! I just despair...... | |
| Adrian, Bolton | |
| I doubt that it helps when self-service checkouts are added to all the other in-store automations. Automation is unappealing to the human psyche when it is troubled in this way and certainly Tesco represents the most depersonalised form of shopping that is currently conceivable (though I'm sure there is worse to come). | |
| Alex, Northtown, Bucks | |
| I thought shoplifting was a crime for everyone, but it seems I am wrong. Middle class people are 'depressed' -oh, and they say they're sorry. If the less well off say they're sorry will that mean they won't be prosecuted? They're certainly depressed.Or is it only rich people who are depressed? This whole story is another disgusting example of 'one law for the rich and one law for the poor.' Crime is crime. By the way, what about those signs that say 'shoplifters will be prosecuted? Perhaps they should say 'shoplifters on benefits will be prosecuted.' | |
| kate beswick, london | |
| In response to Lilibeth Borra: It is not only poor people that are prosecuted. A 'warning' is a formal caution from the Police, and acts much like a conviction through a court. If it is a first offence, even through prosecution, a warning is what is likely to be given. In short, it's still a criminal record, and the desire of Tesco to prosecute would not change the outcome. | |
| Alex, Cambridge | |
| I do not inderstand why no prosecution has occured in the Worrall-Thompson matter. When one compares this situation as the media has reported it i.e. him going to undertake treatment, it beggars belief. It is a well known fact that some people who are addicted to drugs fund their habit from shoplifting. Would they avoid prosecution and persistant offending often leads to them being imprisoned, when clearly getting them the help they need to kick their habit should be the case, if the need of treatment is seen as sufficient mitigation to avoid prosecution. This situation and the ensuing press coverage could lead to this being seen as setting a Legal Presedence in Identical circumstances i.e. stealing from Tesco. | |
| Neville Topham, Leeds West Yorkshire | |
| Perhaps some affluent people lack "challenges" in their lives. Those that can afford to buy or do practically what they want may lack direction. If doing everything they want becomes routine then maybe they simply seek new challanges. | |
| Stuart, Luton | |
| Double standards. When prominent people shoplift they always seen to have some underlying problem but similar excuses are not available to the poor who don't have access to amenable professionals. The poor and disadvantaged also have problems. | |
| Jeremy, London | |
| Sorry-but if you are compos mentis enough to appear and cook on TV, run your own restaurants, write columns and be interviewed, then you must know what you are doing when you steal.I have absolutely no sympathy with this very rich man and hope his treatment will be the same as if he was a hoodie from South London. Make him work on the checkout at Tesco for a few months! | |
| Della Ingham, West Sussex | |
| When poor people steal out of desperation or young people steal during a riot, it's a crime and a reason to demonise them. When wealthy and fanous people steal, it's an illness and a reason to feel sorry for them. | |
| Dave, Darlington, Cleveland | |
| I have come across some news like this earlier.I remember there was a TV show when I was little and in India then.There was a doctor who was talking about this kind behaviour of stealing.And he referred it to as Kleptomania.Now we have got the Wiki website which gives more information on this.I think it is a psychological feeling that just tempts to grab something that we like or just for the fun of doing it in some cases.Or just a game of challenge within friends for not having been caught etc. | |
| Vasu, Surrey | |
| This just highlights the fact that there are no differences between a top chef stealing, rioters stealing and MPs' stealing. No difference except the are differences in the way society treats the offenders and that is down to the injustices between rich and poor and how society is really structured to protect the rich and punish the poor (as per salary scale, location, etc.) A. W-thompson is no better than a rioter really (and I mean that in the sense of someone stealing and not the destruction or vandalism) | |
| Michael McCallum, Paisley | |
| I find it very difficult to understand or show sypmpathy with people like AWT. I also feel that when it comes to behaviour like this people are so quick to jump on the mental illness band wagon, it seems it can be an excuse for every unacceptable behaviour in the rich and famous. Ordinary people are not treated in the same way. | |
| Amanda Robertson, Halifax | |
| People shoplift for the same reasons that people binge drink, fight, run riot, take drugs etc. It has nothing to do with wealth, deprivation or class. It has everything to do with having nothing to do in their spare time, no hobbies, goals or motivation in life. They do it to fill a psychological void that is missing in their lives. This void is created by a lifestyle of running the rat race, working long hours (or not at all), watching endless television & going out getting drunk. Its the "British Disease". If they did something in their spare time, they would not feel the need to do this. | |
| John, Merseyside | |
| None of these people steal from individuals, as someone who has committed the same offence I believed it was a victimless act, the thrill of doing it was quite a rush, if short lived. I started with chocolate bars and peaked with a DVD player, i grew out of the habit and changed my behaviours thankfully, I know it was wrong and I still question my motivation, this article rings very true. I count myself lucky. | |
| Martin, Sydney, Australia | |
| Whenever there's a shoplifting story in the news, there's always a psychological analysis to go with it. Why can't people understand that some people just like to get things for free! It's satisfying. Why must we assume Worrall Thompson has underlying mental anguish? Perhaps he simply wanted to pay for his shopping and have a bit of a cheese for free to save £4. Why does that need psychological analysis? | |
| Chris, Leeds |