Police NZ data showed there were 712 "proceedings" in relation to theft from a retail premises in the Bay in 2021. Photo / Getty Images
Police NZ data showed there were 712 "proceedings" in relation to theft from a retail premises in the Bay in 2021. Photo / Getty Images
Retail theft in the Bay of Plenty is at the lowest it has been in three years and a police inspector says Covid-19 could be the reason why.
Police NZ data showed there were 712 "proceedings" in relation to theft from a retail premises in the Bay in 2021 -down from 822 in 2020, 866 in 2019, and 923 in 2018.
There were 105 proceedings for general theft and related offences in the region in November last year compared to 182 in 2020, 175 in 2019, and 171 in 2018.
Bay of Plenty district prevention manager Inspector Steve Bullock said while there was no single cause for the drop in numbers, Covid-19 had an impact on retail theft.
"Covid has changed the environment," he said, as there was now no "sauntering in" to a shop casually.
"The whole shopping atmosphere is really quite different."
Bay of Plenty crime prevention manager Inspector Steve Bullock said Covid-19 restrictions could have contributed to lower theft rates. Photo / Stephen Parker
He said shopping malls make it easier for thieves to blend in.
"The volume of people makes it easier for shoplifters, especially if they're organised."
He advised shoppers to keep themselves safe by carefully watching their credit cards - which are attractive to thieves because of Paywave - and to watch anyone invading your personal space, particularly while you are typing in your pin number.
Because Covid-19 restrictions mean everyone should be 2m apart, those getting up close could have bad intentions, he said.
He recommended keeping purses and bags closed so it's harder for thieves to access them.
"Criminals will always take an opportunity."
Bullock confirmed police were notified of an incident at the Tauranga Crossing food court on December 27.
Two young women allegedly threatened two teenage girls with gang violence and stole one of their shopping bags.
Police were looking for the suspects and said they have clear CCTV of their faces.
A teenage girl had a bag of shopping stolen from her at the Tauranga Crossing mall. Photo / Andrew Warner
Tauranga Crossing chief executive Lauren Riley said the suspects had not returned to the mall and urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police.
