Irish Examiner view: E-scooters give shoplifters the means to make a fast getaway

Thieves no longer need to leg it now they can leap on a scooter and whiz away on the footpath with their ill-gotten gains

The owner of a Centra store said he is 'out €60,000 or €70,000 a year before we turn on a light' due to shoplifting, much of it facilitated by e-scooters. Picture: iStock

Amidst the retailer furore over the out-of-control increase in shoplifting in Ireland’s cities, there was a small pointer to a trend which has facilitated the sense of impunity enjoyed by many gangs.

Thieves no longer need to leg it when they have grasped some contraband from the shelves of a store. Nor do they need a getaway vehicle waiting around the corner. There are alternatives in this age of mobility, and they extend beyond the tried-and-trusted BMX bike.