YOUNG PEOPLE AND SHOP THEFT >>
(Survey by Penderford High School, Wolverhampton)
478 young people between the ages 11 to 16 were surveyed by the GNVQ Advanced Business Course Group.

45.1% said they started stealing from shops between the ages 11 and 13.

Reasons for theft were given as:

Lack of money 50%
Want the goods 40%
Bullied 32%
Peer pressure 25%
Boredom 26%
Excitement 21%

The main items stolen were:

CDs 68%
Jewellery 60%
Computer games 56%
Clothes 51%

People who stopped stealing did so mainly because:

Afraid of penalties 41%
Effect on their future 38%
Retail security systems 35%

The full report is available from Penderford High School, Wolverhampton.

<< back to Crime & Fraud