Shoplifting has become a ‘wicked issue’ for Torbay businesses

New measures to combat shoplifting have been welcomed by a Devon MP who says theft is becoming a ‘wicked issue’ in the towns he represents.

Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling raised the issue during a debate in the House of Commons.
He asked solicitor general Sarah Sackman what steps she is taking to increase prosecutions, and how she could speed them up.
She replied: “Our safer streets mission will drive essential change to bring an end to the epidemic of shoplifting that is plaguing our high streets.”
She said that while the number of people being prosecuted for shoplifting had fallen ‘significantly’ under the previous government, she believed criminal gangs had been ‘emboldened’ by poor enforcement and immunity for low-level shoplifting.
She told MPs: “We are not prepared to stand by and allow that to continue, which is why the time is right to take action against that unacceptable behaviour.
“Members will be all too aware of the impact that such offences have on our constituents, whether they are customers or business owners. The police are working closely with Crown Prosecution Service colleagues to prosecute shoplifting, but we know there is more to do.
“Among additional measures, the government will introduce a new offence of assaulting retail workers, in order to protect the hard-working and dedicated staff who work in those stores. There are other things that we can do, but that is a start.”
After the debate, Mr Darling said: “I know from having been leader of Torbay Council that this is a big, wicked issue for local shops. I know from conversations with shop owners in Torquay and Paignton that this is a very significant issue.
“And it is only the tip of the iceberg that gets reported. Shops won’t report it because it just takes so long to get through to the police, and a lot of national chains choose not to challenge people because they fear for the safety of their staff.
“This must be tackled seriously. Our high streets are facing tough times.”
Mr Darling also said it was important to deal with the causes of thefts from shops, which often involved people with addiction issues.
“We need to make sure we’ve got those services in place to help people get back onto the straight and narrow,” he said.