Why does offering payment reduce crime? In my jurisdiction it is enough if it is evident that you intent to steal something. Theft can only be prosecuted if th

Why does offering payment reduce crime? In my jurisdiction it is enough if it is evident that you intent to steal something. Theft can only be prosecuted if there is intent. Usually if they suspect someone shoplifting they wait and spring the trap when there are enough clues, for example someone briskly walking to the exit. One story: My wife got stopped in a departement store because she took an item in a sub-shop in the underground floor. It's not a mall. Then she went upstairs to look for more things to shop. The police was there after a short time. This means the shoplifting surveillance system has already sent out an alert to the police when my wife was on the stairs, because employees aren't allowed to hold people. But my wife didn't walk briskly to the exit but strolled around and when stopped she told them she wanted to pay for all things together. The police people even laughed and the employee directed my wife back downstairs to pay.