Chris Philp has told Sky News that gangs, criminal re-selling and drugs were largely to blame for the spike in thefts from shelves, which has been estimated to have cost businesses £1.76bn over 12 months.
This is a good jumping off point to talk about observer biases. Because statistics don’t back up what you are describing at all, but you obviously feel this way.
There’s a lot of observer biases, but in this case, it’s likely that because it’s in the news, you are noticing things more. Your brain is looking out for things. I’ve seen security guards come and go from shops many many times over the past few decades, at times of plenty and times of less. But because the government is out here trying to distract you, your brain is focused on that.
Nah, I’ve seen a shop locking their doors and letting people in one by one because they’re getting so much stuff stolen. I’ve never seen that before, and I see stuff being stolen right in front of me every other week now.
I’m willing to accept I’m seeing this happen a disproportionate number of times if the statistics don’t back it up, but it must be a local problem if it’s not effecting other parts of the country.
Also, maybe try being a little less condescending next time…
This is a good jumping off point to talk about observer biases. Because statistics don’t back up what you are describing at all, but you obviously feel this way.
There’s a lot of observer biases, but in this case, it’s likely that because it’s in the news, you are noticing things more. Your brain is looking out for things. I’ve seen security guards come and go from shops many many times over the past few decades, at times of plenty and times of less. But because the government is out here trying to distract you, your brain is focused on that.
citation? (the stats, not the wiki for observer bias)
Nah, I’ve seen a shop locking their doors and letting people in one by one because they’re getting so much stuff stolen. I’ve never seen that before, and I see stuff being stolen right in front of me every other week now.
I’m willing to accept I’m seeing this happen a disproportionate number of times if the statistics don’t back it up, but it must be a local problem if it’s not effecting other parts of the country.
Also, maybe try being a little less condescending next time…