Rise in youth shoplifting in Norway goes unreported, prompting local initiatives to prevent youth crime

There has been a rise in the number of youngsters shoplifting in Norway, but many of these cases go unreported. The Conflict Council in Agder has noticed a decline in the number of cases involving youth under the age of 15, especially those related to shoplifting. Helge Bie Riber, the head of the Conflict Council, believes that if young people do not face the consequences of their actions, they may continue to engage in criminal activities.

Shopping centers in Arendal have initiated a project in collaboration with local authorities and the police to prevent youth crime. Grunde W. Knudsen, the manager of Alti Arendal, Harebakken, and Kragerø shopping centers, noted that many stolen items are easy to pocket, such as cosmetics and small accessories. He also acknowledged that a lack of time could influence how many cases are pursued further.

Despite more stores experiencing theft by young individuals, fewer of these cases are referred to mediation at the Conflict Council in Agder. In the first half of 2022, 60 cases involving youth under 15 were reported, but this number was halved last year, with only 13 cases reported in the first half of this year. The largest decline is in cases related to shoplifting, which Riber attributes to fewer cases being reported to the police.

Riber hopes that stores will start reporting cases to the police again so that young people can undergo mediation. He emphasizes the benefits of mediation, stating that it provides young people with the experience of making amends in a proper and productive way, which could potentially curb criminal behavior.

To address this issue, a new project was launched in April in Arendal, in collaboration with the local authorities and police. Two individuals have been hired to interact with youths during afternoons and evenings. While the project is still new, positive results have already been observed.

Knudsen also urged parents to acknowledge and address their children’s illegal activities. He encouraged parents to discuss with their children what is lawful and unlawful and to stress the consequences of criminal behavior. He also highlighted the importance of peer influence, suggesting that children should be encouraged to share these conversations with their friends.