Shopping at my local Woolies a few years ago, I was pulled from my little bubble as I went through the self-serve by a scuffle outside.

Login or signup to continue reading

We all stopped for an understandable stickybeak, soon realising a staff member had intercepted a would-be shoplifter, denying her a full trolley of stolen goods.

As I walked by the triumphant worker, I spied plenty of expensive cuts of meat in the trolley.

What struck me most, though, was the attitude of the foiled thief.

She didn't skulk away, but unleashed a tirade of abuse at the employee, as if she had been wronged.

This was my glimpse at an escalating problem underlined by a culture of misplaced entitlement and out-of-control aggression.

Those who work in retail have been sounding the alarm for years.

And, as we reported last week, police data proves it is not in their heads: shoplifting has........

© The Examiner