Anne McIntosh MP: Protect the victims of shoplifting

Conservative MP Anne McIntosh outlines the concerns behind her Theft from Shops (Use of Penalty Notices for Disorder) Bill, which is being considered in the Commons.


Shoplifting is a serious offence. In the past 12 months, the cost of retail theft to businesses is estimated to run to £1bn, affecting 60 per cent of small businesses.

Since 1998/99 the average number of recorded offences has been as high as 295,000 a year, equivalent to nearly 6,000 offences a week. Many thefts go unreported.

The government's response to this shoplifting epidemic has been to introduce fines of £80 for retail theft below the value of £100.

In 2004, 1.8 per cent of shoplifting offences resulted in such a fine. In 2006 this had escalated to 27.2 per cent.

Over the same period, there has been a 16 per cent decline in the number of shoplifters found guilty by a court. Under Labour, fines are replacing court sentences as a means of combating retail theft.

This approach risks treating shoplifting as a mere nuisance crime.

My 10 minute rule Bill would amend the guidance issued under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. I intend to tighten up the police guidance to ensure that penalty notices are only used to deal with first time offences.

Fines are wholly unsuitable for persistent offenders, or where aggravated circumstances such as violence are involved.

My Bill also addresses concerns over the Police National Computer, the police database for fines.

I want to ensure that all shop theft offences are entered onto the system for ease of reference across police forces. I also want to guarantee the accuracy of the information obtained by police when officers record the details of those issued with fines.

The sentencing guidelines need amending as much as the police guidance. I am therefore calling for changes to the sentencing guidelines to allow for greater flexibility to tackle persistent offenders, offenders who are unable to pay, and offences fuelled by a drink or drug habit.

Such offenders must receive the proper treatment, and the promise of rehabilitation.

Through my Bill, I am seeking to introduce a package of measures to put the victim at the centre of the government response to shop theft. Where fines are issued, they should be paid; where community sentences are passed, they should be served in full.

My Bill has cross-party support and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my fellow sponsors for their continuing support. I would also like to thank organisations such as the Association of Convenience Stores, the Magistrates Association, the British Retailers Consortium and the Federation of Small Businesses for their invaluable input and excellent advice.