Swedish trade: great risk of theft in digital stores

In mid -November last year, two women entered a digital unmanned shop in the village of Sjulsmark outside Piteå. Through a surveillance camera, the women are visible to pack goods. The women take down batteries from a shelf. They also bring meat, sausages, salami, vegetables and condoms, according to the police investigation.

In one picture is one of the women in the doorway with a red bag -like object, most likely a heart starter that is also stolen in the raid.

Both women are now charged with theft for theft at a value of over SEK 50,000.

Swedish trade has No exact figures on how much is stolen in unmanned stores. However, they know that the thefts generally increase in trade. Between 2021 and 2023, the cost of the thefts rose from SEK 8.5 to about SEK 10 billion. According to Nina Jelver, security manager at Swedish Trade, 70 percent of all thefts take place at unmanned cash registers and self -scanning.

– These are alarming numbers as self -scanning and unmanned cash registers are something that is becoming increasingly popular. When it comes to digital stores, we see that the risk of theft is great, she says.

Swedish trade sees that the threshold for stealing is lowered when there is self -check -up, both in regular stores and in unmanned stores. The organization also sees an increased problem with organizing gangs « cleansing stores » on certain goods, says Nina Jelver.

– They steal what is easier to turn over, such as meat, energy drinks or coffee.

Also Aron BackmanInvestigation Manager at the Pite Älvdal Police, testifies to groups that steal large quantities.

– They have taken perfumes and razors, which we think they sell on.

He says that the login with bank ID in the unmanned stores can simplify the police’s investigative work at theft. But just as in the case in the village of Sjulsmark, it is common for several people to enter the same bank ID:

– If several people are entered on a login, it is easy for them to claim that they are innocent. It has occurred several times.

The thefts contribute insecurity for both staff and trader, says Nina Jelver.

– We should not be the extended arm of the judiciary. It is frustrating for store dealers and the shop owners who repeatedly see how it is stolen while experiencing fear of what happens if they confront the thieves.

She says that more and more store employees testify that they dare not tell those who steal.

– What if Julia, 19, who stands there and has her first job, should go to two guys who lend the store and pick up a lot of things. It is not a safe situation.

What is needed to reduce the thefts?

– We need more police officers and security guards in the stores. We have also been positive about the legislation on access bans that came in 2021, which means that they can port some from stores. But we see that about half of the stores get rejected when they apply for it.

She thinks the police need to prioritize the thefts that are reported.

– I understand that there are priorities and that we have organized crime that is important to focus on. But many of those who steal today are first -time perpetrators and could be stopped before moving on to other crimes. As it looks today, it is almost risk -free to steal in a store.