Close to 200% increase in shoplifting in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, according to the Association of Non-Food Traders (ATNS). In sports goods, it is over 100%, and in the construction sector – 129%.
„The figures do not need to be commented on. They are startling. Last year, as a result of the thefts, we witnessed quite severe economic consequences. For the period under review, 1,000 thefts were registered in the furniture segment, 50 in sports goods and 434 in the construction segment, says Adv. Galin Popov, executive director of ATNS.
The data are based on stores with a total sales area of 100,000 sq.m. Thefts are mainly carried out in the capital and larger cities, with the focus of the thieves being on large stores, with large stores where there are not only a lot of people, but also a lot of goods. In smaller cities, their number is smaller.
In stores for construction materials, machines and tools, plumbing parts, as well as small but expensive accessories are mostly stolen. In sports facilities, clothes and accessories are the most attractive, and in furniture and decoration - expensive candles, aromas, pans, bed linen, cutlery.
The losses merchants suffer as a result of theft are significant. In most cases, they are at the merchant's expense. Over 55% of the companies belong to this group. The cases where the losses are shared between the guard and the merchant, but even then the greater part is paid by the latter, are 33%. Only 11% of losses resulting from stolen goods are borne entirely by an employee or security.
Besides the huge financial losses, traders also suffer indirect ones as they have to invest significant funds in security. A company invests between BGN 70,000 and BGN 600,000 per year to deal with theft, and these amounts are constantly updated. The methods used to prevent theft are video surveillance (40 percent), on-site security (26.7 percent), alarm systems (20 percent), artificial intelligence (6.7 percent) and checks of different sectors by employees ( 6.7 percent).
However, the main problem remains the law. “The problem is doctrinal, because the Bulgarian criminal law doctrine was built in the 50-60 years of the last century and its philosophy then did a great job, but in today's conditions it is philosophically backward, because society, processes and dynamics are not the same. Nor are public economic relations. "We don't have socialism, but capitalism," says Popov and adds that the Association proposes four legislative measures:
* To create a single channel for easier reporting. That is, to avoid the manager of the company going to the police, etc. An electronic access and electronic signature will do a great job and save a lot of time, including the Ministry of the Interior.
* It would be good to consider admitting videos of thefts as evidence at least in certain situations, because within the ordinary legislative process this is not the case and it is very complicated to admit videos as evidence. It is only accepted when there are complex technical examinations, which take months.
* revision of the system of punishments, including by introducing sanctions for persons who knowingly bought stolen goods.
* To create a specialized coordination unit at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which would focus on this type of crime. This will also facilitate the implementation of coordinated actions by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office against the potential perpetrators and will have a good preventive effect.
„Changes are not easy, because they also require legal changes, not only by-laws. Changes will also be needed in the Penal Code”, adds Popov.