Met Police and retailers urge for reform to tackle shoplifting
It's after new data showed 104 offenders were responsible for over 4300 shoplifting offences in the last 2 years.
The Metropolitan Police has teamed up with some of the UK's major retailers to call for criminal justice reforms from the Government to tackle shoplifting across the capital.
It's as new data shows a small group of shoplifters across the capital are responsible for a significant number of shoplifting offences.
104 shoplifters were linked to 4,389 offences over the last two financial years, making up almost a third of all incidents where a suspect was identified.
On average it took a minimum of 31 offences before each offender was given a custodial sentence.
The organisations have jointly written to the Home Office and Ministry of Justice calling for:
- Fast track court processes that bring prolific offenders before courts within around 72 hours of charge.
- Stronger and more consistent enforcement of court orders.
- A clearer escalation framework for offenders who repeatedly breach Criminal Behaviour Orders
Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Matt Twist said:
“We know we haven’t always got the response to retail crime right. Over the past 18 months we have changed that, giving neighbourhood officers new technology to quickly identify and arrest the small number of offenders responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.
“Working hand-in-hand with retailers and sharing evidence has been crucial in building strong cases and securing charges. Where underreporting remains, we are working with business to ensure incidents are reported to bring those offenders to justice.
“Whilst we recognise the £5 million from government to disrupt organised retail crime, we are still seeing the same individuals come back again and again – that shows the system needs to change. That’s why we are calling on the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to take action, and we stand ready to help break this cycle for good.”
Helen Dickinson from the British Retail Consortium CEO, said:
“Retailers and police are working together to tackle retail theft and the violence and abuse that is the everyday reality for too many of our colleagues.
"While initiatives such as Project Pegasus are helping drive progress, too many offenders still face little meaningful consequence. To truly turn the tide on retail crime, Government must strengthen the justice system so offenders, particularly repeat offenders, are brought to justice quickly and effectively.
"These are not victimless crimes – they have a devastating impact on retail workers, businesses and communities."