Theft at the self-checkout is becoming increasingly popular: “It’s just very easy”

The CBL does not directly link the increase in theft in supermarkets to the self-scan checkouts, but a tour of NH Nieuws in Amsterdam and Haarlem shows that many North Hollanders sometimes fail to scan all their products.

“If someone wants to eat salmon or tuna, it simply costs nine euros per container. Then people sometimes don’t scan it,” says a boy on the street in Amsterdam, just in front of the Albert Heijn. “I just take what I want,” admits another.

Prison sentence

Criminal lawyer Julia Mekkes agrees with this increase in shoplifting among young people, but sees that they are completely unaware of the consequences. The first time often ends with a fine and a store ban. “But if you do it more often, there is even a prison sentence,” emphasizes the lawyer. “And you get a criminal record.” In addition, you have a chance that you will no longer be able to get a Declaration on Behavior, which in turn means that you can no longer get some jobs.

“With the young people I assist, I mainly see that they are in groups at the self-scan checkouts,” says Mekkes. “Then they breed each other up, and then they don’t scan certain products.” But if you steal in pairs, the penalty only increases. “Because then you cook it up together, and that has an aggravating effect.”

Burrata

Mekkes suspects that the increase in the number of shoplifting has to do with inflation and the lack of checks at the self-checkout counters. It is therefore often the more expensive products that are not scanned there. According to Mekkes, this concerns toothpaste, detergent, meat and fish, popular products among young people, especially not to pay. Mekkes: “And another popular one is the burrata or mozzarella.”