Tokyo police announced this week that, for the first time since they started keeping detailed statistics, the number of elderly shoplifters has exceeded the number of juveniles. So much for the “you kids these days” rant, Oba-chan.
According to a police representative, in 2012, they apprehended 3,321 shoplifters over the age of 65, accounting for nearly a quarter of total arrests. In 1999, that number was just 336 (6 percent). So what is behind this breakdown in law and order?
Officials mentioned growing social isolation and poverty rates as possible causes. Said a representative, “Based on this information, we would like to cooperate with the relevant agencies to put in place counter-measures against shoplifting among the elderly.”
I don’t know, man. Have you ever tried stopping Grandma from going to bingo?
Source: 47 News
Image: Tumblr hochiminhtrail
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