The law recognises that the unauthorised taking of property from another is not acceptable in our community. Theft and offences against property are some of the oldest criminal offences and are certainly the most common. Theft offences are wide ranging and include:

• stealing;
• shoplifting;
• larceny;
• burglary;
• robbery; and
• deception offences.

Shoplifting is the act of taking goods from a shop without payment. Some might consider that shoplifting isn’t really harming any person. However shoplifting is a crime that affects all consumers with the cost of the lost products being passed on in the form of higher prices.

Theft is the act of taking property that belongs to someone else without their consent. Robbery is theft with the use of violence. Armed robbery is theft with a weapon. There are also offences that relate to receiving or handling goods that have been stolen.

Burglary is the act of entering premises in order to commit an offence. Aggravated burglary is entering premises to commit an offence while a person is present in the building or entering with a weapon.

This Legal Guide on Shoplifting, Theft and Burglary provides people in Victoria with information about these property offences. It may also be useful for people in other states or territories. Before making important decisions it is advisable to obtain legal advice specific to your situation. LegalEagle’s™ free directory profiles all lawyers in Australia. You can use it to Find a Lawyer near you.

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Warning: Information provided through LegalEagle™ is for general guidance. It is not legal advice. Laws and procedures referred to may change and differ between states, territories and nationally. There may also be important exceptions or qualifications. Only a lawyer providing formal legal advice can assess your particular circumstances to determine how the law will apply.