THIEVES IN SHOPS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4657, 4 February 1924, Page 4

THIEVES IN SHOPS.

METHODS in MELBOURNE. In spite of inc precautions taken, the convictions ’ recorded, and the public exposure of women thieves, shoplifting is on the increase (says a writer in the Melbourne 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 th* 3 criminal one who has yielded to a moment of weakness, which .she will regret to the end of her life. Some of the firms have shown penency again and again to these unfortunates, but others, weary of the continual thieving have found it necessary to make an example of every offender. Tn the case pf trained criminals, of whom there the 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, and often a weU dressed woman will make such a scene, attracting attention and alarming other shoppers, and threatening her detectors with liable 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 rhe police, a quiet submission, and it is a case of * Home, John,” to the police station. During Christmas practically all the large Aims have employed special staffs of detectives, but even then the gangsi are undismayed. * In spite of all our precautions,” said a representative of one of the leading firms recently, ‘ we. know that the shop is being * worked.’ How do they get rid pf 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 does 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 the thief, and there is always someone in the court to pay the small amount inflicted. The unblushing manner in whicn shoplifting is carried out is amazing to the unitiated. The millinery department is a favourite hunting ground, and it is no uncommon occurrence to find that new hats have been exchanged for old without the slightest consideration.of. -money. A hat i & 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 the pretence of trying on some clothing in a cubicle, will slip a hand out of the door, unhook a frock from outside and deposit it in a suit case in the twinkling of an eye, and they have ever been known tp extract dresses from show cases. Unless an assistant actuallysees the frock disappear, it is a dan-, gerous proceeding to accuse the offender without definite proof. Cases have also been known where stolen shoes have actually been returned to be exchanged because they either failed to fit or were odd pairs.

The 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 .pr a .pocket, and by accusing her of having stolen them, sa v : “Now. don’t you ever let on about me, because you’re the same — and I won’t worry about the board.” Later they suggest screening the girl while she lifts, and so the game develops until she is an accomplished th : ef. Once, however, she is caught or gets known, the woman has no further time for her, and the girl has generally become sp demoralised that it is but a step to a life of complete crime and degradation.