A M A Z I N G.
Why not broadcast it louder.
Maybe they should simply let them go, with what they took.
Don't report shoplifters if they've stolen goods worth less than £20, police tell retailers
By Chris Brooke
22nd July 2010
The Daily Mail
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1296836/Dont-report-shoplifters-theyve-stolen-goods-worth-20-police-tell-shoplifters.html#ixzz0uWCDH6NL
Police have told shopkeepers not to report thefts of goods worth less than under £20 in a scheme which they claim will cut crime. Under the trial, retailers are told not to dial 999 if they fall victim to petty shoplifters, but note details in a log book.
It could then be weeks before a community support officer visits to read the log.
Police chiefs claim the policy will reduce thefts in the long term by enabling them to 'build a stronger case' against offenders and impose anti- social behaviour orders to keep them out of shops.
But shopkeepers have criticised the idea as 'diabolical', and believe it will encourage theft and put small shops at risk.
Some family-run businesses already lose up to £200 a week from theft and owners believe the policy will make the problem worse. The indefinite scheme involves all retailers, from corner shops to department stores, in North-East Lincolnshire.
Anthony Bush, owner of the general stores and post office in Killingholme, said: 'It's an absolute joke. You might as well put a sign on the door to say "nick up to £19.99". I wish the police would explain to me how this is going to drive down shoplifting.
'This is people's livelihood we are talking about. I don't care what they are suggesting, if I notice shoplifting I will call the police.'
Makhan Singh Sidhu, owner of a convenience store in Immingham, said: 'We live in a society where there appears to be no real deterrent against thieves, and this is yet another example of this.
'I lose on average about £75 a week in stolen magazines, beer and chocolate bars. It does take its toll on our livelihood.' His son Manraj added: 'It's diabolical. Once people know they can steal stuff for under £20 and the police won't do anything then they will carry on doing it.'
Humberside Police insist the project does not reflect a lack of resources to investigate crime.
A spokesman said: 'We are not saying we won't investigate.
'We are saying rather than pick up the phone every time a Mars bar goes missing, we are taking this to a better level by trying to build a stronger case against offenders.'
He said many thefts were 'over in a matter of seconds' and police were often unable to respond quickly enough to catch the culprits. 'The decision to call police should depend on the incident. If someone was threatening staff, that would be a different situation altogether.'
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