In Belgium, there are more than 20,000 shoplifting cases each year. It costs 1 billion euros a year in Belgium… not to mention all the thefts that go unnoticed. Merchants can now offer immediate collection to thieves caught in the act.
Armand, a merchant in Liège, is regularly confronted with repeated thefts. The last one happened a few days ago. The young man takes with him a sports bag sold in the store and filled with items. “He was very reluctant to come out. One of my colleagues noticed the game a bit. At one point, he said to himself ‘we have to go’. He then lifted the backpack over the gantry. At that moment, my colleague stopped him. Over one year, these are losses that amount to hundreds of thousands of euros.
From a national point of view, the note is also salty. Losses of nearly 1.5 billion euros per year, or 1% of sector revenue. Justice is also trying to find solutions to dissuade these offenders. Since 2021, a fine in immediate collection has been introduced. The principle is simple: in the event of theft, if the perpetrator is known, arrested and confesses, the police notified by the merchant can offer him a transaction with immediate collection. The amount can go up to 350 euros depending on the value of the stolen product. If the thief agrees to pay, his criminal record remains clear for this offense, otherwise he is presented to the judge.
Limburg zones prove that it works
For the moment, 31 immediate perceptions have been proposed. Mainly in Limburg and Antwerp. Traders are not yet fully aware of these new measures.
Vincent Van Quickenborne, ministre de la Justice, explique au micro de RTL info: “We want to encourage all police zones in the country to do the same. The areas of Limburg prove that it works and the feedback from traders is very positive.” Officially, nearly 20,000 thefts were committed in 2021 in Belgium. But in reality, the creativity of thieves to act is limitless. The number of offenses would be ten times higher.
