"Because the Ringmaster allows it." Probably encourages it since 'thief' is a designated job description. Granted, one handed out to seven year olds so jury's out on how seriously anyone should actually take it.

He stomps on the pads a little more forcefully with a frown. "Fae probably don't care." Hell, Childermass probably doesn't care. "But it's dishonest and you hurt the person you're stealing from, so even if you can, you shouldn't! The carnival's not even free, so we have to have money..."