– Unfortunately, it is everyday that we catch people stealing from the shopping centre. There are many young people, and there are unfortunately large numbers of people in the dark. Director of Sandvika Storsenter, Kathrine Stensrud Ingerø, is dismayed by the trend they are seeing at one of Norway’s largest shopping centres. Almost every day someone is caught, and a great many thieves are young – they are as young as 13. THEFT: Many young people are tempted to steal. But it can have major consequences if you are caught. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB Almost half of those caught for theft at the shopping center are young people under 18. And two out of three caught are girls. Ingerø says that many of the thieves are influenced by TikTok. – We talk to those we catch stealing, and one of the things that comes out of those conversations is that a lot happens on social media. Especially on TikTok, where there have been so-called “challenges”, and young people act based on that. – Immoral and unethical TIKTOKER: Kent Sørensen has almost 150,000 followers on TikTok. He is very critical of the trend of posting theft tips. Photo: Rahand Bazaz / news TikTok profile and general manager of Elite security, Kent Sørensen, confirms the TikTok trend. – Several of those who are caught for theft have seen videos on TikTok. Parents should talk to their children that these videos are unhealthy. He believes it is very problematic that this content is published. – Those who post such invitations should stop doing so immediately. It is very wrong, immoral and unethical to influence especially children in that way. It is simply low. Many people post videos of how they steal on TikTok. Peer pressure to steal Steinar Holmen Vadla, head of the Vadla security agency, is one of those who know the most about shoplifting in Norway. Vadla says that it is striking how Norwegian shoplifters are getting younger and younger. – Before it was 18, 19 and 20-year-olds who stole, now it is 13, 14 and 15-year-olds. They are children and teenagers. It’s really sad. He has worked with the subject for 30 years and has caught over 4,000 shoplifters. In addition, he helps the business community to expose and prevent crime. Vadla says that there are many cases involving young thieves. – The development we are seeing now, with a large increase in thefts carried out by children and young people, is very inappropriate. EXPERT: Steinar Vadla is concerned about developments in youth and theft. Many experience peer pressure, he says. Photo: Clean Shot Photography, Eivind Nilsen He says the same as the center director at Sandvika, that girls are in the clear majority, with up to 70 per cent of shoplifting. And there is a great deal of pressure and influence among young people. – When rumors spread in the schoolyard that stealing is easy and that you are rarely caught, peer pressure arises. Doubling of cases in the Conflict Council Many cases reported to the police about youth theft end up in the Conflict Council. The council has experienced a sharp increase in cases involving young thieves. In the last three years, on a national basis, there has been almost a doubling of cases involving children under the age of 15. Tale Storvik, senior adviser at the Conflict Council, says it is important that those caught for theft learn and make amends. SENIOR ADVISOR: Speaker Storvik in the Conflict Council says it is important that young people who steal are given the opportunity to make amends. Photo: press image – Through a meeting with the store, several people leave relieved, and they have grown a little during the process itself, knowing that they have made amends. Storvik believes that there must be an increased focus on theft as a social problem. – I think shoplifting will always be there, but it is important to focus on prevention. That young people know something about what is happening, and that it has some consequences. – We always report Back at Sandvika shopping centre, center director Kathrine Ingerø says that they always take action when they catch someone stealing. – We always report, which is also the police’s recommendation. And we also contact the parents. She thinks the thefts are sad for the shops, but even more sad for those who are caught. – I think it is very sad, primarily for the young people themselves, since it can also have consequences later in life. If you are over the criminal minimum age, this ends up on your criminal record. CENTER DIRECTOR: Kathrine Ingerø asks parents to be vigilant. Many children steal from a young age. Photo: Henrik Lindal Ingerø also has a clear call for parents. – Parents must talk to their children, and monitor if their children, for example, have clothes and make-up they don’t know where they came from. It is important that parents are not naive. Children are easily influenced. Youth: – There is no reason not to pay At Sandvika storsenter, news talks to several young people. They know that there are many young people who steal, and think it is a sin. – The thefts can eventually turn into something worse. It’s hard to start stealing at such a young age, says Malin Gunnes. – The TikTok videos are certainly fun to watch, but you shouldn’t steal them yourself, says Elias Bergo. And the teenager says in conclusion: – Pay for what you want. There is no point in buying anything without money. Also read:
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Shoplifters are getting younger and younger and young people learn to steal on TikTok – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
