Red Tape Hot Box on why zł.250 is the magic number

When discussing reasons for the constantly increasing crime rate - unemployment, poverty and a lack of opportunities are often mentioned. However, it is surprising to learn that the law itself seems to contribute to the problem.

In Poland, the theft of goods worth less than zł. 250 is only a misdemeanour. The penalty for this can be parole, imprisonment or a fine. Only when the stolen goods are worth more than zł. 250 is the theft considered a crime. In this case, the delinquent can be fined or sentenced to up to a year's imprisonment. This is all theory, because thieves are rarely sent to prison and even if they are sentenced to imprisonment, it is with a suspended sentence. So, not many of them end up behind iron bars. As a result, supermarket thieves seem to work with a calculator, because when they get caught, they hardly ever have goods worth more than zł. 250. Pick-pockets who are caught in the act return to their favourite buses, trams and trains after a few days. They probably go back to "work" so eagerly in order to pay their fines...

Such lenient treatment of culprits, many of whom have been caught red-handed, inspires more and more people to take up this "job". They probably think that, since it's not a crime and that punishments are light, then there is nothing wrong with it. Perhaps that's why ten times more people get caught stealing from supermarkets in Poland than in Germany. Our eastern European neighbours are also far behind us in this disgraceful statistic. Supermarkets in Poland spend much more money on security than in other European countries. One might ask whether these extra expenses are hidden in prices - meaning that it's us honest citizens who pay for it all.