Shoplifting in Toronto, Canada

Shoplifting is statistically one of the most common criminal offences in Canada. While most shoplifting cases go unreported to the police (particularly those that occur in smaller stores), each day upwards of 70 people are caught shoplifting in the Greater Toronto Area. Of these 70 arrests, most are made in just a handful of larger department stores that have the security capacity to catch and detain shoplifters.

Two stores in particular are responsible for the largest number of theft under $5000 arrests:

1. The Bay
2. Winners

The Bay and Winners catch more shoplifters than any other stores in the Toronto area. Both specialize in selling clothes, which are the items most targeted by shoplifters. If you walk into a Bay or Winners location and look around you will see they invest significantly in shoplifting prevention, including such things as:

1. CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras
2. Publically displayed video screens upon entrance (for deterrence)
3. Uniformed security officers, often stationed at the entrance/exit points (for deterrence)
4. Mirrors, which deter shoplifting by giving shoppers the impression they are being watched
5. Alarm tag security systems

In addition to making these security technologies obvious to customers (to prevent them from trying), these stores also hire numerous undercover private investigators (security guards) to walk around in plain clothes and watch the customers.

Undercover security guards are the #1 way in which department stores catch shoplifters. If you enter a Winners or The Bay, you can rest assured that undercover guards are likely watching your every move (both in person and on CCTV). Store security in these locations also focus highly on individuals using their fitting room areas as many shoplifters will attempt to wear clothes out of the store without paying.

People who have shoplifted successfully at smaller stores for years often face a shock when they attempt to shoplift in a Winners or The Bay location and end up criminally charged for it. Your chances of being caught are probably 20 times greater at either of these two locations than your average small store. Shoplifting cases originating from The Bay also tend to have higher monetary values as their items tend to be more expensive.

While not as prolific at catching shoplifters as The Bay and Winners, these stores also invest a lot in security and are responsible for a significant number of arrests in the Toronto area:

1. Wal-Mart
2. Costco
3. Dollarama
4. Superstore/Loblaws stores (including No Frills)
5. Canadian Tire
6. Home Depot
7. Shoppers Drug Mart

Toronto’s Plastic Bags leading to increased shoplifting cases?

In Toronto, new municipal laws discouraging the use of plastic bags have also led to an increase of theft under $5000 charges. Walking out of a store with an un-bagged item is now a normal part of shopping. For many this feels unnatural and even some paying customers report feeling like they are “doing something wrong”. For those who get an urge to steal in retail environments, putting items in their own bag that they entered the store with (as opposed to a shopping cart) can lead to a temptation to shoplift that is very difficult to control.

The consensus from store owners, security guards, and police is clear: Toronto’s bag usage discouragement policies have led to increased shoplifting in the city.

Seasonal Differences

Shoplifting in Toronto peaks around Christmas time for four reasons:

1. People are feeling a financial pressure to steal
2. Customers in busy stores feel less vulnerable and “protected by the crowd”
3. Customers are wearing winter clothing that provides more opportunity to hide and conceal items
4. More people in stores means more thefts and more security guards/private investigators working to catch them

In the summer time Toronto experiences an influx of tourists many of whom get caught shoplifting. A lot of these individuals are visiting Canada from countries where more stores employ less advanced technologies. Like any other person caught shoplifting, these people are issued an Appearance Notice (Form 9) by the police and are required to comply with fingerprinting and court appearance requirements.

For travellers (often tourists or temporary workers), having to return to (or remain in) Canada for fingerprints and court can be a major inconvenience. If they fail to attend the police station for fingerprints and/or fail to appear in court they can face additional charges and convictions in their absence (which may negatively impact their travel abilities in the future). Hiring a lawyer to assist with their case can allow them to avoid attending court (on some occasions) and minimize problems associated with the charge itself.


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