Top cop says shoplifters should be treated with “discretion” not court

A SENIOR cop says first-time shoplifters who steal food during the cost-of-living crisis should not necessarily be arrested.

The new policing watchdog chief Andy Cooke warned that the spike food prices would see more people stealing to get by and they should be helped instead of facing charges.

He said: “The impact of poverty, and the impact of lack of opportunity for people, does lead to an increase in crime.

"There’s no two ways about that.”

The new chief inspector of constabulary added: “I think whenever you see an increase in the cost of living or whenever you see more people dropping into poverty, I think you’ll invariably see a rise in crime.

"And that’s going to be a challenge for policing to deal with.”

But he did not want to see people who commit crimes of poverty given “ a carte blanche for people to go out shoplifting” but wants officers to see them “dealt with in the best way possible”.

He added: "I certainly fully support police officers using their discretion – and they need to use discretion more often.”

Another anonymous top copper backed him adding: “There is a difference between a first-time offender who steals bread, cheese or milk to eat, and someone stealing to feed an addiction.

“Police are there to help people in extreme need, that’s why we joined. We can signpost them to a food bank or help like that.”