Share this article Share this article THOROFARE, N.J., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- When the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus a 'global pandemic' on 11 March 2020, governments across the world began restricting the movement of people through social distancing, introducing local and national lockdowns to help slow the spread of the virus. One major result of this reduction in mobility was a vast decline in many types of crime. Shoplifting during a Pandemic At this time, there was widespread closure of shops in the general retail sector, which naturally decreased the opportunities for shoplifting. Supermarkets and other grocery retailers remained open, however, the promotion of social distancing and added security is likely to have discouraged shoplifters. Interestingly though, preliminary evidence of pre-lockdown spikes in shoplifting, were likely facilitated by extra cover in crowded stores as customers stockpiled