Thefts from unmanned roadside farm stands in Denmark are on the rise, prompting some vendors to install surveillance to combat the problem. These thefts target fresh produce like carrots, potatoes, eggs, and honey, undermining the tradition of trust associated with these self-service establishments.

Christina Beckwith, who runs a farm shop at Katrinelund in Tikøb with her husband, has installed video surveillance to deter theft. Before the cameras were installed, the shop experienced significant losses, sometimes up to 2,000 kroner a day.

Even with surveillance, some customers still cheat by taking extra produce or underpaying. Beckwith has even identified some culprits on Facebook, who often claim they miscalculated and then pay the remaining balance.

These incidents are occurring across Denmark, raising concerns about the erosion of trust, a value considered so central to Danish culture that there have been talks about nominating the “trust society” to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.

Professor Gert Tinggaard Svendsen from Aarhus University notes that Danes have a high level of trust in each other, making these thefts particularly problematic. René Malarik, who runs a roadside stall with organic vegetables on Samsø, experienced a nearly 20 percent loss due to theft last year.

Beckwith speculates that rising prices may be contributing to the thefts. However, the issue remains a challenge for vendors who rely on the honesty of their customers to sustain their businesses.