Shoplifting parents use children as couriers

Parents are stashing stolen goods on their children and smuggling thousands of dollars worth of property out of shops during the holiday break.

They are using their babies and toddlers as couriers for pilfered goods. Nappy bags and prams are also being stuffed with stolen goods and being wheeled out the door, shop managers say.

Tauranga's biggest mall, Bayfair Shopping Centre, has employed extra security guards to stem the flow of unpaid items bypassing the checkout during post-Christmas sales.

Bayfair manager Anne Clarke said there was a bold group of people using children to steal items.

Some parents had been caught out by security guards and store staff who noticed suspicious behaviour.

"If kids have backpacks on, parents are planting the stolen stuff in there and walking out," Ms Clarke said.

Mount Maunganui police Senior Sergeant Duncan MacLeod said people went to the Bay from other areas including Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland specifically to shoplift.

They often worked in pairs, he said.

Since December 13, seven adults have been charged with shoplifting in Mount Maunganui alone.

A further seven people aged 16 and under have been referred to Youth Aid.

Sergeant Lester Polglase said police had had reports of children acting as lookouts for parents as they loaded up with the stolen booty.

Using children to conceal items was becoming a popular way of bagging stolen property, Mr Polglase said.

The New Zealand Security Association warned that car thieves usually stepped up their activity at this time of year, too.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES