Tik Tok used as a shoplifting tool
Thieves are using the popular app to give stores ratings out of 10 for how easy it is to steal from them. Shop lifter’s substitute words like "stealing" with “borrowing” to avoid Tik Tok’s filters that screen out criminality.
They describe tactics, such as kneeling down to pretend to tie shoe laces to attach jewellery to them or using long-sleeved clothes to hide items.
Primark is given a 10/10 because the retailer supposedly does not check how many items are taken to the changing rooms. Wilko, which has recently entered administration, was given a 9/10 because its cameras have blind spots and it is easy to remove their security stickers.
Some accounts even give advice about what to do if shoplifters get caught, suggesting acting confused or pretending you were looking for someone outside and always intended to return in-store.
Many of the 'creators' behind these messages are misleading their audiences into believing that stealing from a big company has no repercussions. Making a stab at some sort of honourable behaviour, some users try to encourage others to avoid targeting small businesses.
In extreme cases there have even bouts of organised shoplifting. Last month, a TikTok call for mass theft in Oxford Street forced police to descend on London's shopping district while outlets called in extra security.
A spokesperson for TikTok said: "We have zero tolerance for content facilitating or encouraging criminal activities, including theft, as set out in our community guidelines and will remove this content if found."
Retailers are fighting back by bringing in security guards, electronic barriers for self service checkouts and facial recognition systems to stop theft. Ten retailers are planning to bring in "Project Pegasus" - a system where they pay police to scan shoplifters' faces through the Police National Database, which uses facial recognition technology.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and the Co-op are among those taking part in the £600,000 scheme.
The British Retail Consortium [BRC] warned widespread shoplifting was contributing about £1bn a year in retail losses due to theft.