Rich girls turn to shoplifting

Teenage girls from wealthy families are stealing brand clothing and accessories from retail stores at major shopping malls.

Durban North police yesterday said more than half of the shoplifters arrested last week were rich girls aged between 15 and 17.

Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said shoplifting by teenagers, particularly those "who have it all", got worse during the festive season.

"It is a national problem. Kids are spending the whole day at malls so they get up to mischief. They assume that shoplifting is petty," Ramaloko said.

Durban North police spokesman Lieutenant Raymond Deokaran said at least 15 incidents were reported last week. He said a week before Christmas at least 10 shoplifting cases by teenagers were reported daily.

Last week, a 15-year-old girl was caught stealing R800 worth of clothing at Edgars. She also had items valued at R450 from Mr Price.

Deokaran was not allowed to name the hardest hit shopping centres. However, Gateway Theatre of Shopping and La Lucia Mall are in the Durban North policing area.

"When they are caught, they really cry. When their parents get to the police station, they are informed that shoplifting is a crime and their children will have to face the consequences," he said.

Offenders either appear in court or pay an admission of guilt fine.

"The fine is based on the value of the item stolen. The admission of guilt will reflect on the offender's criminal record and will only be removed in 10 years' time if they have not committed other crimes."

Police suspected that the girls were being pressured by their friends into shoplifting.

Education psychologists agreed, saying peer pressure was one of the reasons teenagers shoplift but there were other factors.

"Often these kids don't get the attention and warmth at home that they so desperately crave.

"Any psychologist will tell you that often people steal to fill that large empty hole in their heart. It's a subconscious deed," Professor Kobus Maree said.

He said the festive season exacerbated feelings of loneliness.

Maree said lonely girls were more likely to shoplift because teenage boys go out in groups as a coping mechanism.

Dr Anand Ramphal said some teenagers stole items they did not really want or need for the "thrill of it, for attention, to gain kudos with peers or perhaps as a dare".