Youth shoplifting gangs causing growing damage to Estonian stores

School-age youth gangs are increasingly targeting Estonian shops in organised shoplifting raids. Viking Security's head of security services says social media influence, boredom, and home environment are among the key factors driving the trend.

School-age youth gangs are becoming an increasingly serious problem for retailers across Estonia, according to Juhan Aia, head of security services at Viking Security, a company providing security solutions to numerous Estonian stores. Aia spoke about the growing trend on ETV's morning programme "Terevisioon".

According to Aia, the gangs operate in organised groups, making it harder for store staff and security personnel to intervene effectively. Unlike individual opportunistic theft, coordinated group shoplifting is more difficult to detect and prevent in real time.

Aia pointed to several factors behind the trend. Social media is playing a notable role — content glorifying shoplifting or daring peers to commit theft is circulating online and appears to influence young people's behaviour. Boredom and difficult home circumstances are also contributing factors that push some youths toward this kind of group activity.

Viking Security, which provides security services to a wide range of retail clients in Estonia, has observed the pattern across multiple locations. The company's representatives are urging both retailers and parents to take the issue seriously and respond proactively before the damage escalates further.