The previous limit of SEK 1,250 has been in effect since 2019. The Supreme Court believes that "changes in the value of money" - i.e. inflation - mean that the amount for what is considered "petty theft", in everyday language shoplifting, needs to be increased.
The ruling concerns a man who stole goods worth 1,311 and 1,250 kronor respectively. Both the district court and the court of appeal convicted the man of ordinary theft, but the Supreme Court is now changing the ruling and at the same time setting a new precedent.
Already this spring, the Attorney General considered that the limit needed to be raised, citing "prevailing price trends".
