Tehran Police Chief Says Some Thieves Steal 'Only Due to Economic Conditions'

The head of Tehran's Criminal Investigation Police linked the increasing trend of theft in Iran to economic issues, stating that some thieves commit theft 'only because of economic conditions and financial problems.' The state-run news agency ISNA quoted Ali Valipour, who mentioned that if the country's economic situation improves, the rate of thefts will decrease, allowing the police to better deal with professional thieves. The newspaper 'Etemad' reported on August 11 that theft in Iran continues to rise due to economic problems, stating that 'theft in Iran will persist due to economic issues.' The Etemad newspaper also referenced official statistics released by the government agency 'Statistical Center of Iran,' emphasizing that 'the rate of theft has been on the rise in recent years.' The widespread distribution of poverty in Iran in recent years has disrupted many social relations and increased various crimes in society. Several independent experts believe that inflation exceeding 40% in recent years and persistent inflation in the range of 30% to 40% are the main causes of economic and social crises. According to these experts, political risks continue to pose a threat to the country's economic stability and may affect inflationary conditions in the coming months. Social analysts also believe that the increase in thefts is a result of rising inflation in Iran, which has reduced access to food for a significant portion of the lower-income brackets. The rise in thefts in Iran occurs while thieves face amputation penalties under the Islamic Republic's penal laws, yet theft statistics in the country have not only not decreased but have reportedly shown alarming growth in recent years, according to judicial officials of the Islamic Republic. The increase in theft due to economic problems is the second major crime in Iran. The Iranian Human Rights Organization warned against the execution of finger amputations for four prisoners. An economist stated: 'We are heading towards a regression of poverty.' The head of the Social Workers Association noted that petty thefts have increased to secure livelihoods.