Majority of Brits have done shoplifting at least once, with many doing it for pure thrill, shows a new survey, exposing the state of British society and how normalised "low-stakes theft" has become.
According to a new survey by USDT Casino, more than two-thirds of Brits (68 per cent) admit to stealing at the supermarket, with a third (33 per cent) confessing they did it for the thrill, not out of financial need.
In a poll of 2,500 UK adults, respondents were asked about their history of shoplifting, self-checkout honesty, and moral justifications. The results paint a surprising picture of modern supermarket culture and just how normalised "low-stakes theft" has become.
While many cited rising food prices and cost-of-living pressures, a significant chunk admitted that affordability wasn’t the issue at all. Instead, one in three said they stole “because they could get away with it” or because “it felt exciting.”
The top items Brits admit to stealing are fruit and vegetable (41 per cent), chewing gum (29 per cent), toiletries (17 per cent) and alcohol (13 per cent).
The majority of thefts happened at self-service tills, with many claiming it was “easier than ever” to sneak items through. Some even admitted to using “fake scans” which is scanning cheaper items in place of expensive ones.
A spokesperson for USDT Casino said: “It’s a reminder that risk and reward isn’t just a casino concept – people weigh up what they think they can get away with in everyday life.
"This survey shows just how blurred the lines of morality can become, especially when temptation is only a barcode away.”
As debates around shoplifting and self-checkout tech continue, experts warn this data could be a wake-up call for supermarkets relying heavily on automation without oversight.
Another industry report released earlier this year stated that almost 40 per cent of UK shoppers have failed to scan at least one item when using self-checkouts.
A third (32.5 per cent) also admitted to having weighed loose items incorrectly, while 38 per cent had put through an incorrect loose item.
Matt Hopkins, an associate professor in criminology at the University of Leicester, commented on the findings, saying that "self-scan and self-checkout, has created a new breed of shoplifter".
