Trivia: Shoplifter Statistics

Shoplifters are caught an average of once every 48 times they steal. Even when they are caught, they're only reported to the police 50% of the time.

Only 3% of shoplifters are professionals who steal for profit. The rest are amateurs who steal to cope with social or personal problems, or who like the "high" from getting away with it. Drug addicts that also become habitual shoplifters describe shoplifting as equally addicting as drugs.

This, and more fascinating statistics are from the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention.

It's funny how people pull statistics right out of their asses. How would anyone, ever, be able to prove this statistic?

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Well, given that they're from an industry association, I doubt the statistics were pulled right out of their asses. Assns., maybe, but not asses.

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With regard to the speculation as to the source of the statistics cited, please note that they are the result of extensive research the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP - a non profit organization and originator of research-based shoplifting prevention programs) conducts with the tens of thousands of shoplifting offenders who complete a NASP educational program each year as a condition of diversion, sentence or probation. The offenders are referred to NASP by some 500 criminal and juvenile courts throughout the United States. As a result, these and all of our statistics are both reliable and verifiable.

For more information about these or any other NASP statistics, please feel free to contact me directly at bstaib@shopliftingprevention.org or visit our website - www.shopliftingprevention.org

Barbara Staib
Director of Development & Communications
NASP