A Liverpool Tesco's branch that has been losing £50,000 a month to theft has launched a pilot scheme which will see shoplifters avoid prosecution.
West Derby MP Ian Byrne has backed the scheme which see individuals suspected of stealing food referred to foodbanks rather than prosecuted. Under the current law suspected shoplifters are arrested and prosecuted.
Under the pilot scheme West Derby Tesco, currently losing around £50,000 per month to shoplifters, will train guards and staff to spot customers who appear to be looking for food to steal because they are hungry. It comes as UK shops report big rises in theft of essential low-value items from milk, cheese and cooking oil to baby milk and nappies during the cost of living crisis, reports the Mirror.
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Mr Byrne said: “This kind of theft is an act of desperation. We have many mums and dads who never would have considered shoplifting. What I want is to stop the criminalisation of the working classes.”
Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell, has also backed the scheme. She said: “No one in our society should need to steal to eat or provide for children.
"It is a damning indictment of the legacy of this Government. Our focus is always on preventing crime. We are already engaged with the retail industry and community safety partners to try to ensure vulnerable people get support. This initiative in West Derby is focused on doing just that.”
The scheme is also supported by Cllr Barbara Murray, chair of Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel, who said she “couldn’t believe the amount of theft” from her local supermarket while other city crimes, such as burglary, are decreasing.
Mr Byrne now hopes the pilot will be rolled out nationwide. He said: “This is not the only area struggling. We’re not giving carte blanche for people to shoplift. But this is to show millions out there are in poverty – and it’s only going to get worse under the Conservatives.”
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