would you take part in looting?

[luke]

following on from the tottenham riots and looting, i was wondering if people would take part in looting in similar circumstances?

so, theres been or is a riot going on, windows to shops are smashed, theres no police about and people are going in and taking whatever.

would you grab some stuff?!

i think i would. i wouldn't smash a window or do anything to instigate it, but you know, if i was there and people are taking whatever and if i could grab something nice i think i probably would. thats bad i know, but i'm just being honest, i think i probably would. unless i'd already got scared by all the mayhem and legged it

so, would you?

[faceless]

I reckon I would, and if I got going I'd probably end up like that guy with the shopping trolley, but I'd be trundling up the road with a year's supply of Quavers.

[luke]

crisps are a good idea, i was thinking earlier if it was the aldi near me that was being looted, i'd probably end up taking lots of long life milk no point taking loads of fresh stuff, it'll go off before i can eat it, no point taking frozen - my freezers tiny.

[major.tom]

I don't think I would, but couldn't really bring myself to condemn others if they took things needed to live. (Food, water, etc.) Trainers and electronics don't count.

While I earn enough to get by, the people in Tottenham with families to support and valid grievances have a different frame of reference than me.

[Brown Sauce]

if i saw a pile of laptops saying "help yourself" i probably would. Case of beer, bottle of wine, also. I wouldn't go out of me way though ...

[simonandnicky]

I think i am with Luke on this one, i dont think i could smash anything, but if there are items on offer, i think i could.
After all these companies are insured.?

[pirtybirdy]

I wouldn't.

[Stones]

No, I couldn't, I think the guilt would be too much for me.

[simonandnicky]

And also on another note it would be only from the "Major shops" not little independant shops.
Is that any better?

[Stones]

No. I accidentally stole a bottle of wine from Tesco and while I didn't take it back, I did feel pretty bad about it.

Ask me again if they start looting Louboutins though.

[Skylace]

I wouldn't. I am able to pay for what I need, so to be looting or stealing anything would just leave me racked with guilt.
I'm not starving, I have clothes on my back, so it would just be wrong.

[luke]

one note if you do go looting, take the security tags off!

"A 23-year-old scaffolder broke down into tears in court this morning after admitting taking part in the looting in Hackney.

Father of two Christopher Heart, of Hurst Road, Chingford, was found wearing a pair of brand new Lacoste trainers and a bodywarmer with the security tag still on at about 11pm on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to entering JD Sports in Mare Street with intent to steal and was bailed under curfew for sentencing at Wood Green crown court."

about the guilt issue raised by sky and stones, i don't think i'd feel guilty about taking something from some big business in a looting situation. like simonandnicky said, i wouldn't do it from an independent shop, but big business ... meh

a while back i was given the wrong change in a big store, but i gave it back because i didn't want the probably minimum wage cashier to get in trouble when her till didn't add up at the end of the day, but if i'd got that extra change on one of those self service tills or a cash machine, i'd have had it

[SpursFan1902]

I am a scardy cat and would be convinced that somehow they would be able to track me down!

I think looting and stealing are just that, no matter how big or small the store.

[mamasue]

With cameras wherever you go....
I'd be terrified of getting caught!
But....a new ipad would be nice!!

[Twirley]

I'm with Spursfan and mamasue...I'd be too scared of getting caught. Besides, as Sky says I am not starving or destitute and don't really "need" anything. I guess it's when you are really in need that the risk of getting caught doesn't outweigh the risk of starving.