GT-T2-210 General Training · Task 2 · beginner · 40 min · 250+ words Problem and Solution Crime

Rising Shoplifting in Local High Streets

The question

Shoplifting has become more common in many local high streets, and small shop owners say they are losing money that they can hardly afford. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could reduce it? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Instructions

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. • Explain the main causes of the problem clearly and specifically. • Propose practical solutions and explain how each would work. • Give examples to support your ideas. • Organise your ideas into clear paragraphs and use cohesive devices.

How to approach this problem and solution question

A problem and solution essay needs specific causes or problems first, then realistic solutions that match them.

Introduce the issue and why it matters.
Body 1: the main problems or causes, with examples.
Body 2: solutions that clearly link to each problem, saying who should act.
Conclude by summarising the best solution.

How to plan this answer

Structure

Introduction: paraphrase the rise in shoplifting and name the two or three main causes you will discuss.
Body 1: the causes, covering financial pressure, reduced policing and self-service displays that make goods easy to take.
Body 2: practical measures, such as visible local patrols, shop-watch radio networks, shared CCTV evidence and locking away high-value items.
Body 3: limitations of these measures, such as the cost of CCTV, displacement of the problem to other shops and the slow impact of treatment for addiction.
Conclusion: summarise the causes and recommend the combination of measures you think is most realistic for small shops.

Idea bank

A shop-watch radio scheme that links local shops and allows staff to warn each other about suspected offenders.
Small shops with one or two staff members who cannot watch every aisle while serving customers.
Self-service checkouts or open displays that make it easier to take a small item without being noticed.
Support for people with drug or alcohol dependency, which tackles one root cause of repeated theft.
Counter-argument: CCTV can be expensive for a small business, and offenders may simply move to a neighbouring shop.

Useful vocabulary

to be driven by: Much shoplifting is driven by financial hardship and addiction.
to be stretched thin: Local police forces are often stretched thin and cannot respond quickly.
a shop-watch scheme: A shop-watch scheme allows traders to share information about known offenders.
to deter: A visible presence can deter thieves before they act.
to target high-value goods: Thieves often target high-value goods that are easy to sell on.
to prosecute: Shops rarely prosecute small thefts because the process is costly.
to displace the problem: Strong security in one shop may displace the problem to another street.
a visible deterrent: Uniformed patrols act as a visible deterrent in busy areas.
to bear the cost of theft: Small traders often bear the cost of theft through higher prices.
to tackle the root cause: Better treatment services can tackle the root cause of repeated theft.

Common mistakes

Describing causes in general terms, such as 'people are greedy', without linking them to specific pressures.
Suggesting 'more police' with no explanation of how that would change local behaviour.
Confusing shoplifting, which is a theft without force, with robbery, which involves threats.
Ignoring the shop owner's perspective, which is the main concern raised in the prompt.

Examiner tip: For each measure, explain how it would work in practice and why it would deter or prevent theft. A mechanism shows understanding, while a list of solutions earns less credit.

Model answers by band score

Written for this question to show what changes from one band to the next. Try the task yourself first, then compare.

Band 6 answer

Nowadays shoplifting is more common in the local high streets, and the owners of small shops are losing a lot of money. There are several causes of this problem and I will suggest some solutions. The first cause is that the cost of living is very high. Many people has not enough money to buy food and other things, so they steal from the shops. When prices go up, some people think that stealing is the only way to live. The second cause is that the small shops have not many staff, so nobody is watching the customers. A shoplifter knows that he can take something and go out quickly. Also, many shoplifters are not punished seriously. If the police do nothing, the people will do it again, and young people may think that it is not a crime. There are some measures which can reduce the problem. Firstly, the shop owners can install cameras and put signs which say 'You are being filmed'. This will make the thieves afraid. Secondly, the government should give a stronger punishment to people who steal many times, for example a fine or community work. In addition, the police should come to the high street more often, because when people see a police officer they will not steal. Another solution is to help people who are poor. If the government gives more support to families who have not enough money, fewer people will need to steal. Schools could also teach children that stealing is wrong and it hurts the small business. In conclusion, shoplifting has many causes such as poverty and lack of staff, but with cameras, stronger punishments and more help for poor people, the problem can be reduced.

Why this is band 6

Addresses both parts of the question: causes (cost of living, little staff, weak punishment) and measures (cameras, tougher penalties, police patrols, support for poor families).
Ideas are relevant but general; for example, the claim that cameras 'will make the thieves afraid' is not explained or supported with an example.
Vocabulary is simple and repeated ('people', 'steal', 'shops') and there are errors such as 'Many people has not enough money' and 'have not many staff'.
Band 7 would explain how each measure works and give more specific support, using more precise vocabulary with fewer errors.

Band 7 answer

In many town centres, small shops are reporting a rise in shoplifting, which threatens the survival of businesses that already operate on narrow profits. This essay will examine the main causes and propose practical solutions. One important cause is economic pressure. As food and energy prices have risen, some people who would not normally steal are tempted to take basic goods, such as groceries and toiletries. A second cause is that small shops are vulnerable: they usually have one or two staff members and little security, so a thief can leave before anybody reacts. Finally, there is a widespread belief that shoplifting is a low-risk crime, because police rarely attend and offenders often receive only a warning. This encourages repeat offences, including organised theft where groups steal goods to resell. To tackle the problem, a number of measures could be taken. Firstly, shops could install affordable security such as cameras, mirrors and alarm tags on valuable items. Visible cameras discourage opportunistic thieves, and recorded footage helps police to identify repeat offenders. Secondly, local authorities could fund more regular patrols by community officers on high streets, which would make offenders feel that they are more likely to be caught. In some British towns, partnerships between shopkeepers and police that share information about known offenders have led to fewer incidents. Longer term, support for people in poverty is essential. Food banks and job training can reduce the need to steal in the first place, while schemes that require first-time offenders to repay shops through community work could stop minor theft from becoming a habit. In conclusion, shoplifting arises from hardship, weak security and low risk of punishment, and it can best be reduced by combining better protection, visible policing and social support.

Why this is band 7

Both parts of the question are answered clearly, with a separate paragraph for causes and for measures, and the essay's structure is announced in the introduction.
Solutions are explained in terms of how they work ('Visible cameras discourage opportunistic thieves, and recorded footage helps police ...') and one example (shopkeeper-police partnerships) is given.
Good range of vocabulary and linking with only occasional awkwardness; the examples remain somewhat general.
Band 8 would be more precise in its use of examples and statistics, and would avoid generic phrases such as 'a number of measures'.

Band 8 answer

Many local high streets are seeing a rise in shoplifting, and independent shopkeepers, who work on narrow margins, say they can barely absorb the losses. The causes are a mixture of economic hardship and weak deterrence, and the most effective remedies address both. The first cause is financial pressure. As prices for food and energy have climbed, some people who would not previously have stolen are tempted to take basic items such as groceries and toiletries. A second cause is that small shops are easy targets: with one or two staff, little security and a front door that opens on to the street, a thief can be gone before anyone reacts. Third, offenders perceive shoplifting as a low-risk crime, since police seldom attend low-value thefts and punishments are mild. This has encouraged organised groups who take goods to resell. Several measures could reduce the problem. Shops can adopt affordable security, such as mirrors, alarm tags and cameras whose recordings can be shared with police. Visible cameras deter opportunistic thieves, while footage makes it easier to identify repeat offenders. Authorities could also fund regular patrols by community officers, since the sight of uniforms alters the calculation of risk. In several British towns, schemes through which shopkeepers share photographs and descriptions of known offenders have been credited with fewer incidents. In the longer term, tackling the underlying poverty matters. Food banks and training programmes reduce the need to steal, and requiring first-time offenders to repay the shop through community work can stop a minor offence from becoming a pattern. In conclusion, shoplifting reflects hardship, vulnerability and a weak sense of consequence, and it is best reduced by protecting shops, restoring visible policing and supporting those in need.

Why this is band 8

Causes and solutions are matched: each cause (financial pressure, vulnerability, weak deterrence) has a corresponding remedy, so the essay reads as a coherent argument.
Explanations show how measures work ('the sight of uniforms alters the calculation of risk') and the example of information-sharing schemes in British towns is relevant.
Vocabulary is precise ('opportunistic', 'deterrence', 'narrow margins') and the cohesion is natural with rare errors.
Band 9 would support the claims with firmer, more specific evidence and avoid slightly general statements such as 'has been credited with fewer incidents'.

Band 9 answer

Shoplifting has grown markedly on many high streets, and independent shopkeepers, who work on narrow margins, say they can barely absorb the losses. The causes lie in economic hardship, vulnerability and weak deterrence, and the most effective remedies tackle all three. The first cause is financial pressure. As food and energy prices have climbed, some people who would never previously have stolen are tempted to take basics such as groceries and toiletries. Second, small shops are easy targets: with one or two staff, little security and a door that opens straight on to the pavement, a thief can be gone before anyone reacts. Third, offenders perceive shoplifting as a low-risk crime, since police seldom attend low-value thefts and sentences are mild. That perception has encouraged organised groups, who steal in quantity to resell. Several measures could curb the problem. Shops can adopt inexpensive security such as mirrors, alarm tags and cameras whose footage can be shared with police. Visible cameras deter the opportunist, while recordings make it far easier to identify repeat offenders. Local authorities could also fund regular patrols by community officers, for the sight of uniforms alters the calculation of risk. In several British towns, schemes by which shopkeepers circulate photographs of known offenders have been credited with fewer incidents. Over the longer term, easing poverty matters as much as policing. Food banks and training programmes reduce the need to steal, and requiring first-time offenders to repay the shop through community work can stop a minor offence from hardening into a habit. In short, shoplifting reflects hardship, vulnerability and a weak sense of consequence, and it is best reduced by protecting shops, restoring visible policing and supporting those in need.

Why this is band 9

Fully answers both parts of the question, with a response to each cause that is linked to a specific remedy and explained.
Reasoning is insightful (the idea that visible uniforms 'alter the calculation of risk') and the closing paragraph balances policing with the underlying social problem.
Language is sophisticated, natural and accurate ('hardening into a habit', 'deter the opportunist') with no errors.
Paragraphing and cohesion are seamless: the introduction announces the three causes, and each later paragraph takes them up in turn.

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