Lille traders deplore increased thefts before Christmas

As the Christmas holidays approach, Lille traders deplore more frequent thefts. Some people choose to protect themselves by purchasing anti-theft devices.

In Lille stores, traders are complaining of an increase in shoplifting as Christmas approaches.

“We go to see the lady here who does not hesitate at all, she arrives, takes the figurine, from the bag and leaves,” says Ethan Szewczykowski, salesman at ABYstyle store, pointing at a customer on video surveillance images.

“Such speed”

“These are flights carried out with such speed that even if we are careful and try to pay attention to the environment, we cannot have eyes everywhere.” In December, his store records three times more thefts than during the rest of the year.

To combat the phenomenon, its brand has decided to put discreet anti-theft devices on certain products. “Even for pairs of socks, we have to anti-theft with textile anti-theft devices directly inside the box.” A measure that he sees as “quite extreme”.

According to the Ras le Vol collective, the operating procedure is well established and the thieves take advantage of the crowd phenomenon in stores to act. “There is a real organization of very structured groups who have technological means to act,” says Jérôme Jean, president of the collective. Among the most targeted stores are pharmacies, cosmetics and ready-to-wear brands.