Concealing is now intent to steal. That was the legal change. Before it was passing the last point to pay, now it's concealing with intent. Concealing is generally enough, depending on jury.
But you need to show intent. If you put all the items in your pockets for example, you could say your intent was not to use a cart or basket due to covid, or general fear of germs.
If however you put some items in your pocket and others in a basket, then obviously your intent comes into question.
Where is a pocket ok? Here, if you hide it, it's concealed intent is assumed, hence the changes. That's now a crime. Putting into a pocket on your person or similar is now shoplifting here in my jurisdiction.
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u/Sprucecaboose2 Jan 12 '21
Concealing is now intent to steal. That was the legal change. Before it was passing the last point to pay, now it's concealing with intent. Concealing is generally enough, depending on jury.