



By Jung Hae-myoung







Thefts of mugs have been increasing since the government cracked down on the use of plastic cups in coffee shops on Aug. 2







The online Asia Economy reported that two or three mugs or glass cups are stolen every day from a cafe in Jung-gu District, downtown Seoul. More than 10 cafes in the area reported the same problem.







A cafe owner in Mapo, western Seoul, said, "People used to steal plates and cups before, but the number of thefts has suddenly increased since August,"







One Starbucks outlet has stamped on its mugs "This cup belongs to Starbucks."







The cafes are reluctant to report the matter to the police because of the time involved. A report is required to make to the precinct, not a neighborhood detachment, and police must go through surveillance films to identify the thieves.

The cost of the stolen cups may well seem trivial compared with the hassle.





A police official said cafe owners should report the thefts.





"The suspects can be identified once we see the video footage," the official said.

