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Shoplifting on the Rise During Holiday Season

by KREX News Room
by Meaghan Wallace

Story Created: Dec 28, 2012 at 11:57 AM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 28, 2012 at 11:57 AM MDT

DENVER - Christmas may be over, but the holiday sales are not. WIth those sales brings crowds of anxious shopper, and also shoplifters.

According to our sister station KCNC, it’s estimated one in 11 Americans shoplift.

During the four weeks leading up to Christmas an estimated $1.84 billion in merchandise was shoplifted this year, according to the Global Retail Theft Barometer.

That’s up about 6 percent from last year.

Law enforcement calls it a crime of opportunity.
The most shoplifted items, according to the Center for Retail Research, are alcohol, cosmetics, perfume and makeup. Razors and shaving items are also popular stolen items. Clothing accessories and coffee also top the list.

Law enforcement and prosecutors are getting a boost from ever-improving surveillance technology.

Investigators say that in addition to shoplifting being on the rise during the holidays, property crimes like thefts from cars and homes are also more common.

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