Police give teens free underwear to stop them stealing

The taxpayer funded initiative is being rolled out in Cambridgeshire after officers linked a spike in the theft of hygiene products to uncleanliness amongst young adults, the Daily Mail reports.

Police have found struggling youngsters regularly try to steal toiletries, sanitary items and underwear after being taunted by their peers for being dirty.

Police found there are some people who are struggling to get regular access to toiletries, sanitary items, and underwear, causing discomfort, embarrassment and bullying, the police told the Daily Mail.

Crime reduction officer Sue Loaker who came up with the idea said a lack of these basics “can cause low self-esteem and in the worst cases we have seen young people resorting to crime in order to try and get hold of these items.”.

Care packages of toiletries and underwear will be given out to young people in need along with support and advice about healthy living and personal care.