Member

Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It affects small family businesses and major retailers alike. It drives up costs, erodes public confidence and contributes to the sense of disorder on our high streets. The British Retail Consortium estimates millions of pounds in losses each year, with many retailers reporting that the same individuals commit offence after offence. Yet, as things stand, even repeat offenders may receive community disposals that lack the structure, monitoring or restrictions necessary either to protect the public or to encourage rehabilitation.