Pilferer

A pilferer is an individual who engages in the act of stealing or taking small amounts of items discreetly or secretly, typically from a place of employment, retail establishment, or a larger communal area. This term often implies minor theft, distinguishing it from more serious criminal acts like robbery or burglary.

Pilferer meaning with examples

• The pilferer at the store was caught on surveillance cameras attempting to sneak out with a few items tucked under his jacket. Employees were alerted after noticing discrepancies in inventory, prompting them to review the footage. It became evident that this wasn't the first time he had engaged in such behavior.
• During the annual audit, the accounting team discovered inconsistencies in the store's records, leading to the eventual identification of a pilferer amongst the staff. Employees were questioned, and one individual confessed to skimming off cash from the register over several months. This prompted a revision of security protocols.
• After experiencing multiple instances of theft, the warehouse instituted stricter access controls to prevent pilferers from entering without supervision. This decision arose from a series of small thefts that, when summed up, amounted to significant losses over time. Enhanced monitoring aimed to deter such actions in the future.
• The local library saw a rise in books missing from the shelves until they identified a habitual pilferer among the patrons. Staff began tagging newly acquired books for better tracking. With greater attention to member activities, the librarians set traps to catch anyone attempting to steal valuable editions.
• Teachers warned students about being careful of pilferers in the cafeteria, where some children stealthily take food from others' lunchboxes. Throughout the school year, groups would react in disbelief after noticing missing snacks. Efforts were made to educate students on sharing and respecting others’ belongings to reduce the issue.