Kerre Woodham: It's poor form to resort to theft

There was a time when I was in a low-wage job and not able to pay all my bills on time. Occasionally that was my fault but, really, when you're on $15 an hour, there's only so far you can make that money stretch.

But even though I'd been used to good money and now I was down on my luck, I never, ever thought about stealing to make life a bit easier.

The Global Retail Theft Barometer was released this week showing that in Australia and New Zealand theft from retailers is up 5.6 per cent on last year and the survey sponsors are pointing the finger at people not used to doing without.

Fresh meats and deli items like salami are being stolen more as white-collar professionals decide that rather than cut their cloth, they'll just nick what they want.

It's contemptible. I can understand stealing through desperation - just, although with the combination of food banks, the welfare state and charities that exist purely to support those in need, I would doubt whether desperation is a legitimate excuse.

But those who steal simply because they can't bear to eat mince when they're used to Wagyu beef should get double the penalty.

Remember David Shaida, the failed Auckland businessman, who found that his job selling table mats wasn't enabling him to live the Remuera high life?

Rather than downsize the house, withdraw the kids from King's School and resign from the board of governors, he became a drug runner, importing P into the country. Selling misery just so he could keep up appearances.

He was jailed for the crime, and a good job too. There are way worse things than being poor - and being a criminal is one of them.