Hong Kong police arrest 13 in Tseung Kwan O shoplifting crackdown

Hong Kong police have intensified their crackdown on shoplifting following a rise in cases in Tseung Kwan O district, with some thieves testing the market by posting items on online shopping platforms before stealing them.

Between August 1 and 27, the force dealt with 39 shoplifting-related cases, 28 of which occurred in the district, according to a police statement on Friday.

Thirteen people aged between 22 and 69 were arrested, including four non-ethnic Chinese individuals and one person from the mainland.

“Most of the affected shops are supermarkets, personal care product retailers and clothing stores. Stolen items included medicines, health supplements, beauty products and clothing, which were valued at HK$86,000 [US$11,034],” said Yuen Chin-tung, senior inspector of Tseung Kwan O district’s intelligence section.

The force said it maintained close contact with retailers and encouraged them to report immediately if items went missing.

Au Kai-lun, senior inspector of the task force unit in the same district, said that some thieves had sold stolen items for profit.