Britain is witnessing a concerning shift in social attitudes, with a growing tolerance for dishonesty and fraud, particularly in everyday activities like stealing from self-service supermarket checkouts. Criminologists have noted that pilfering at these checkouts, often referred to as “swiper” behavior, is increasingly common, with some even considering it a form of national sport. Professor Emmeline Taylor from City, University of London, who coined the term “swiper” nearly a decade ago, describes it as “Seemingly Well Intentioned Patrons Engaging in Regular shoplifting,” referring to individuals who fail to scan all of their groceries.
According to The Times, this behavior has become more normalized in recent years, with people openly joking about the items they have “accidentally” stolen, such as disguising a bottle of prosecco as a bunch of bananas. The rise in supermarket theft is just the visible tip of the iceberg, as new research highlights an alarming decline in honesty across broader aspects of society.
A study led by criminologist David Shepherd at the University of Portsmouth reveals that public attitudes toward “everyday economic criminality” are changing. Since 2011, the number of people who believe false benefit claims are “never justified” has dropped from 85% to 67%. Similarly, the belief that it is wrong to accept bribes or purchase stolen goods has also decreased significantly.
Shepherd’s research suggests that this decline in honesty is particularly evident among younger generations, who are more susceptible to the influences of social media and the behavior of public figures, including politicians. “Young people are being exposed to attitudes that normalize dishonesty and cheating,” Shepherd said. This influence is less evident among older generations, who appear to retain a stronger commitment to traditional ethical standards.
The rise in fraud is not just confined to petty theft. There is growing concern about the increasing willingness to engage in fraudulent activity without fear of consequences. Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of people who believed benefit cheats were likely to be caught dropped from 41% to 28%. The Department for Work and Pensions has warned that this growing propensity for fraud could cost the benefits system an additional £2 billion annually.
Self-service checkouts in supermarkets, which make theft easier to commit and harder to detect, have exacerbated the problem. Professor Taylor notes that many individuals, especially from middle-class backgrounds, rationalize their theft by convincing themselves that supermarkets are overcharging farmers or profiting excessively. “It’s a form of justification by comparison,” she explains. “They tell themselves it’s not as bad as more serious crimes like mugging or drug dealing.”
The normalization of dishonesty is further fueled by social media platforms like TikTok, where younger thieves, part of the so-called “borrowing” community, share tips and tricks on how to steal from large retailers. Some of these accounts have gained tens of thousands of followers, encouraging criminal behavior among the masses.
In response to this rising trend, some retailers, such as Waitrose, have introduced strategies like “love-bombing” to deter theft. Staff are trained to be especially attentive to customers using self-checkouts, providing assistance to avoid potential confrontations. However, as Professor Taylor points out, this approach has its risks, as retailers do not want to wrongly accuse loyal customers of theft.
Experts like Taylor and Shepherd argue that a breakdown in the public’s confidence in the state and government has contributed to this shift in behavior. Taylor links this to the pandemic, where the government’s casual relationship with truth and law may have eroded trust in societal norms. “A loosening of the social contract means people are now more willing to behave in ways they wouldn’t have before,” she said.
