Only during the first three quarters of 2024, more than 20,000 shoplifting incidents were reported, according to Dansk Erhverv, the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
However, the number of shoplifting incidents is actually much higher – 49 percent of member companies often refrain from reporting such crimes, according to a survey conducted by the organization.
It is very discouraging and shows that confidence in the police can be very low among retailers, says Henrik Sedenmark, security chief for retail at Dansk Erhverv.
It is only when stores catch a shoplifter in the act and obtain their name and address that reports are usually followed up quickly, according to Sedenmark.
If it is a theft that requires a certain investigation – the police may need to review video surveillance, interview witnesses, or take other investigative measures – our experience is that many of these cases are dropped or abandoned.
In an effort to alleviate the problems, the government wants to, among other things, increase the fines so that shoplifting always leads to a fine of at least 1,000 Danish kronor, equivalent to 1,500 kronor, the first time a person is caught. This would be a doubling compared to today.
