Mental Health Aspects of Shoplifting*

A ten-year follow-up of 886 shoplifters showed clear differences between women and men. Men tended to have previous convictions and to steal books (unknown in women). Of the 532 women nearly one third were foreign-born, and this group comprised 46% of offenders aged 17-30. The peak age among British women was 51-60. First offenders accounted for 80% of the women, and their reconviction rate was 11%; among those with any kind of previous conviction the rate was 50%. The rate of admission to hospital for women shoplifters is three times higher than average.