Shoplifter in Bamberg: banned for life after stealing a waffle!

Shoplifter in Bamberg: banned for life after stealing a waffle!

A recent incident is causing a stir in Bamberg. A 20-year-old, who has already been banned from entering the house for life, was once again seen in a supermarket on Pödeldorfer Straße. He recently stole waffles and an energy drink worth only around €2.30. The police didn't wait long to temporarily arrest the man, which shows that the authorities show no leniency for repeat offenders.

Such crimes highlight the increasing problems with shoplifting in Germany. A recent study shows that theft has increased since 2022, especially in stores with self-service checkouts. Many retailers are also noticing the increase in theft in their sales figures. Almost half of the stores with such cash registers report increased wastage, which is caused by operating errors and targeted theft. However, according to experts, the majority of cases remain undetected, which suggests that there is a high number of unreported cases [Spiegel] reports that 98 percent of thefts remain undetected.

The effects of stay-at-home orders

In many cases, a ban on entry is a common way to take action against shoplifters. But how long does such a ban actually last? In one incident described by a concerned mother, her daughter, then only 13 years old, was banned from the house indefinitely after a petty theft in a supermarket. The mother is now trying to find out whether this ban is legal, since her daughter was not of criminal responsibility at the time of the incident [Urbia] reports. However, the branch manager was not very accommodating and issued a ban from the premises without checking whether it was a one-off mistake.

Stay-at-home orders can have a significant impact on the lives of those affected, especially if they are children or young people. A good hand is required here, because not every theft is treated equally. For many, a temporary ban could be a means of getting those affected to come to terms, while an indefinite ban, as in the case of the concerned mother's daughter, may not always be in the interests of justice.

Further incidents in Bamberg

But that's not the only thing currently in the news in Bamberg. On Thursday night, the police also arrested a 42-year-old who was caught with Crystal during an identity check. Two other men, aged 24 and 31, were also caught in possession of amphetamine. In addition to drug offenses, the police also recorded property damage, such as to a blue VW Golf on Bamberger Straße, as well as a traffic accident in which a 63-year-old scooter driver was slightly injured [Wiesentbote].

The security situation appears tense and police are advising the public to be vigilant. Information about the incidents is welcome. It remains to be seen how the city and businesses will respond to these developments.