Government wants to give shopkeepers share of shoplifting fines
The federal government wants shopkeepers who fall victim to shoplifting to receive a share of the fines paid by offenders. The proposal is part of a broader SME plan presented on Tuesday by minister for the middle class, the self-employed and SMEs Eléonore Simonet.
Since 2022, the Belgian police are allowed to issue fines of up to 350 euros to shoplifters caught in the act. The fine can be paid at the scene of the crime or via bank transfer within two weeks. Nevertheless, almost 90 per cent of thefts in Belgium go unreported: many shopkeepers feel that calling the police is a waste of their time and will not prevent future thefts.
In an effort to combat the sense of powerlessness experienced by business owners in the face of shoplifting, minister Simonet presented several measures to combat theft on Tuesday. One of these is to give the owners a share of the fine paid by the offender. The exact percentage will be decided at a later date by Justice minister Annelies Verlinden.
"With this measure, we want to encourage traders to report thefts and offer them compensation for their time and efforts"
"We find that few traders involve the police. They often make arrangements among themselves, because the most important thing for them is, of course, getting their goods back," the cabinet of minister Simonet told VRT. "With this measure, we want to encourage traders to report thefts and offer them compensation for their time and efforts."
Additionally, business owners will also be allowed to ask customers to voluntarily open their handbag or backpack for inspection. While this practice already occurs in many shops, there is currently no clear legal framework for it.
89 support measures
The measures are included in a new plan that Simonet to help SME owners. The plan contains 89 measures spread across 12 chapters, including long-standing priorities such as reducing red tape and tackling unfair competition.
One chapter focuses on improving work-life balance for the self-employed and encouraging female entrepreneurship, for example by extending maternity leave for self-employed women. Self-employed parents will also gain access to parental leave, although the entitlement will be phased in for budgetary reasons.
Other measures in the SME plan include easier access for small businesses to public procurement contracts, a right to be forgotten for non-fraudulent bankruptcies to help entrepreneurs obtain new bank loans, and permission for shops to install cash machines. The government has set aside 15 million euros for the rollout of the SME plan by 2029.
© BELGA PHOTO MAAIKE TIJSSENS
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