Tauranga CBD retailers say tougher penalties proposed by the Government for low-level theft won’t make much difference.

This month, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced proposed changes to laws around shoplifting, saying the Government wanted to make it easier for police to punish shoplifters.

“Public confidence in our justice system is undermined if people can steal with apparent impunity. It’s disheartening, and our Government will not sit by while shoplifters rob businesses of their livelihoods,” Goldsmith said.

“Currently, the administrative burden can deter retailers from making official complaints, and lower-level offending often goes unreported or unpunished. Our Government is restoring real consequences for crime, and shoplifting is no exception.”

Proposed changes include introducing an infringement regime for shoplifting in retail premises.

This would mean that for stolen goods valued up to $500, infringement fees of up to $500 would be given. For goods valued at more than $500, fees would be up to $1000.

The changes would strengthen the penalties for theft to one year of imprisonment if the value of a shoplifted item is about $2000 or less, or seven years’ imprisonment if an item is valued at more than $2000.

Another proposed move is to create a new aggravated theft offence for when the value of the goods is under $2000 and the theft is carried out in a manner that is offensive, threatening, insulting, or disorderly.

These measures would fall within the Government’s wider overhaul of the Crimes Act, with legislation expected to be introduced to Parliament this year.

In Tauranga’s CBD, Midtown Mini Mart co-owner Abhey Chhibber said the proposed changes would make little difference, and stronger penalties were needed.

“For them, it is $2, but for us, it is how we pay the bills.”

In the past week, someone grabbed and took items from a shelf next to the front door, taking as much as they could before running off, Chhibber said.

One Tree Bakery manager Usa Rattanai said people stealing food from them was an almost daily experience. “We do see people come, grab and run out.”

One Tree Bakery managers Lertanantachai and Usa Rattanai say thieves grab food and run from their store almost daily. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Her husband, Lertanantachai Rattanai, said he was not sure anything could be done to stop the thefts. “We cannot do anything.”

Tauranga resident Ra Morrow said harsher punishments would not stop some people from shoplifting. “It is just the reality.”

It would also be easy to point the finger at homeless people, but Morrow had witnessed people wearing designer brands shoplifting in Bayfair Mall.

Boho Store manager Barbara Elliot. Photo/Brydie Thompson

The legislation would not make a significant difference, but the more visible presence of police officers walking the beat had, Boho Store manager Barbara Elliot said. “That feels really nice.”

Care2Phone Tauranga owner Jay Patel. Photo/ Brydie Thompson

Care2Phone Tauranga owner Jay Patel said his shop had been open for only a year and a half and had installed security systems to deter thieves.

“Almost $4000 I spent on security.”

Stricter penalties would be needed to curb the thefts, Patel said.

Dollar Store manager Jo Shunbok said shoplifting had been an issue at her store, but nowadays she did not have as many people stealing.

For Shunbok, the main issues were the lack of customers visiting the city centre and the limited access to a post office and a bank.

“Every year our customers are reduced, and every year more shops close.”

The Government also wants to make changes to the Trespass Act, which would include increasing the maximum trespass period from two years to three years; and doubling the maximum fine for anyone refusing to leave when asked, or returning when trespassed, from $1000 to $2000; plus a maximum fine for anyone refusing to give their name and address when requested, or giving false information, would double from $500 to $1000.

Goldsmith said that before the proposed legislation changes to the Trespass Act were introduced, the Government would “explore how best to support retailers when distributing notices to those who refuse to engage”.