Shoplifting Prosecutions 2024-09-12
2024-09-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The British Retail Consortium identified a £1.7 billion cost to traders from shoplifting offences, impacting the viability of high street trading in Torbay.
What steps are being taken to help increase prosecution rates for shoplifting?
Our safer streets mission aims to end the epidemic of shoplifting on high streets. Between 2018 and 2023, the charge rate for shoplifting offences decreased significantly under the previous government, with 10,000 fewer charges per year. The current government believes that criminal gangs have been emboldened by poor enforcement and immunity for low-level shoplifting. We are introducing a new offence of assaulting retail workers to protect store staff.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to increase prosecution rates were not provided, only a general commitment to action against shoplifting.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The British Retail Consortium identified a £1.7 billion cost to traders from the offence, affecting high street viability in Torbay.
I congratulate the Solicitor General on their appointment. How will the Solicitor General ensure that we expedite shoplifting prosecutions?
The police are working closely with CPS colleagues to prosecute shoplifting, but we know there is more to do. Among additional measures, the Government will introduce a new offence of assaulting retail workers in order to protect store staff. There are other things that we can do, but this is a start.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline and concrete actions for expediting shoplifting prosecutions were not provided.
Response accuracy