Shoplifting on the rise, Helsinki sees biggest jump

By admin On Apr 16, 2025

Shoplifting cases increase in early 2025 – legal change may prompt retailers to report thefts more actively. LEHTIKUVA

The number of reported shoplifting cases in Finland rose sharply in the first quarter of 2025, according to new data from Statistics Finland.

Police received 16,300 reports of shoplifting between January and March, marking a 22 percent increase from the same period last year.

The largest increase occurred in the Helsinki police district, where over 1,500 more incidents were reported compared to early 2024. This equates to a rise of more than 60 percent.

“Shoplifting reports in Helsinki have grown significantly,” said Kimmo Haapakangas, Senior Statistician at Statistics Finland. “The relative increase is over 60 percent compared to last year’s first quarter.”

Other notable increases were recorded in Lapland and Southeast Finland. While the numbers are smaller than in the capital, the relative growth was substantial: 40 percent in Lapland and 28 percent in Southeast Finland. In practical terms, this means approximately 80 additional cases in Lapland and fewer than 200 more in Southeast Finland.

Haapakangas said the number of shoplifting cases has been increasing steadily since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He also noted a previous spike in 2009, during the global financial crisis.

In addition to economic factors, changes in criminal justice policy may have had an effect. In 2021, Finland expanded the use of convertible fines for repeat petty crimes. If a person cannot pay fines for repeated offences, the penalty can be converted to a prison sentence.

“Previously, minor thefts may have gone unreported if it was assumed the offender could not pay or would not face consequences. That may be changing,” Haapakangas said.

No age breakdowns for 2025 suspects are yet available, but earlier data suggests youth involvement is growing. In 2018, 7 percent of suspects were under 15. By last year, that figure had risen to more than 10 percent. Among 15–18-year-olds, the proportion of suspects increased from 4.6 percent to nearly 6 percent over the same period.

Other types of theft also increased in early 2025. Thefts from vehicles rose by 16 percent year-on-year.

In contrast, the number of reported robberies declined. Between January and March, 548 robberies were reported, six percent fewer than in the same period last year. Of these, 158 were classified as aggravated.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi