Policing Minister Sarah Jones said the Government is turning the tide against Britain’s shoplifting epidemic, with a 21% rise in shop theft charges in a year
Labour’s policing minister has said the Government is “turning the tide” on shoplifting after the number of thieves facing court action shot up.
The Home Office said the number of criminal charges for shop thefts has risen by 21% in the past year. Policing Minister Sarah Jones told The Mirror the breakthrough means prolific offenders are finally facing the consequences of their actions.
It comes after shocking scenes in Clapham saw shops ransacked by gangs of youths as part of a “link up” online trend the Government has pledged to tackle.
Data shared with The Mirror shows there were 111,559 shop theft charges in the past year. Ms Jones said: “Shop theft isn’t low-level crime – it’s lawlessness that damages livelihoods and blights high streets. We’re turning the tide: more offenders are being charged, and we’re tightening the law so these criminals face real consequences.
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“A small number of prolific offenders are driving a huge share of retail crime. We’re bringing policing, retailers and government together to target the worst perpetrators, cut reoffending, and make sure shopworkers and their customers feel safe.”
Retailers said shoplifting cases had reached record levels thanks to a Tory loophole which meant thefts of less than £200 were unlikely to result in prosecution. Legislation making its way through Parliament will reverse this.
The Crime and Policing Bill will treat all shop theft offences as general theft – regardless of value – so harsher sentences will be at both the Magistrates and Crown Court’s disposal. The new laws will also make it a specific offence to assault retail workers.
Retailers have long warned that thieves, including organised gangs, are getting more brazen and staff face a rising threat of violence.
Last week M&S retail director Thinus Keeve wrote in The Telegraph: “In the past week alone we have had gangs forcing open locked cabinets and stripping shelves, two men brazenly emptying the shelves of steak and walking out, a large group of young people ransacking a store before assaulting a security guard, a colleague headbutted trying to defuse a situation and another hospitalised after having ammonia thrown in their face.”
He added: “We need to recognise this for what it is. A systemic issue. A growing issue. And one that demands a co-ordinated response across government, policing and industry.”
The Met Police last week said six teenage girls had been arrested on suspicion of theft and assault in connection with two incidents in Clapham, south west London. These saw huge crowds of young people gather around shops and restaurants.
Five people, including four police officers, were assaulted in scenes described by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan as “appalling”.
The Home Office said it will be focusing on most prolific offenders, with 9% of thieves accounting for 52% of all convictions.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said: “The evidence shows that most shop theft is driven by a small number of prolific offenders who repeatedly target shops, often stealing goods to order.
“We welcome the government’s continuing work with police and retail partners to prioritise bringing these prolific offenders to justice and stopping the damage they cause to high streets and local communities.”