Proportion of Thefts in Supermarkets Involving Theft of Milk Powder

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) in the past five years, how many and what proportion of theft cases in supermarkets have involved the theft of milk powder; (b) how many of these shoplifters have been caught; and (c) what are the reasons for their actions.

Between 2018 and 2022, there were 398 cases of theft of milk powder from supermarkets. This constituted 7% of all theft cases in supermarkets during this period. Police have identified the perpetrators for 77% of these cases.

The Police do not actively keep track of a breakdown of reasons why perpetrators commit theft of milk powder. Based on a study of recent cases between January 2022 and January 2023, the majority of perpetrators did not have children under two years old who would have needed to consume the milk powder.

Police have also encountered cases of perpetrators stealing milk powder for other reasons, including to resell for a profit.