New Zealand Greens MP Golriz Ghahraman said she was experiencing mental health problems after being accused of shoplifting from luxury clothing stores. Generally speaking high-profile individuals like Golriz Ghahraman don’t steal to ‘gain resources’, but for more complex reasons, says criminologist. Some people shoplift because they’re desperate. Some people covet things they don’t want to pay for. Some are stealing for gangs.
Post-pandemic surge in shoplifting and a security crackdown along with it. But the reasons for retail theft are not that simple – and the solutions shouldn’t be, either, according to the University of Newcastle criminologist associate professor Xanthé Mallett. After accusations she had shoplifted from luxury clothing stores. For years, Ghahraman – a refugee – was subjected to death threats and threats of sexual and physical violence