Shoplifting is expected to surge amid the cost of living crisis but don’t expect the police to do anything about it.

Apparently approximately 300,000 offences go unpunished every year on top of thousands of others that are not even reported.

Many former senior police officers believe shoplifting was effectively decriminalised by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act back in 2020 for any goods below the value of £200. Low level crimes only carry a £70 fine and the thieves in question don’t even have to attend court.

As a result people are not being prosecuted because shoplifting is not classed as a priority crime.

Try telling that to the poor retailers who are suffering a loss of almost £2billion a year according to the Centre for Retail Research estimates.

A spokesman from the National Police Chiefs Council said forces have to prioritise cases where they feel confident enough that there will be a firm prospect of prosecution. He went on to add that the police will still continue to work with stores to make sure that their security is the best it can be. Well bully for them I say.

Our high streets are already facing a tough enough time as it is; now they have to contend with the police being expected to turn a blind eye to crime.

Is it any wonder that confidence is at an all time low with our police force? It only leaves us to wonder what really is the point of our police forces if they aren’t allowed to uphold the law?

Mrs L M Jackson