On-the-spot fines should not be used as a sanction against shoplifters, says the Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice.
Edward Garnier MP described the use of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs) for shop theft as “a wholly inadequate way of marking the seriousness of this offence”.
Pointing to the latest figures that reveal 58% of PNDs nationally are not even paid, he added: “It really is a get-out-of-jail card and it’s extremely aggravating for traders – particularly in times when we’re in choppy economic waters – to see the courts and police apparently treating shoplifting in such a light-hearted way.
“It’s simply not fair for small retailers; PNDs should be used for minor matters.
“It’s theft, it’s stealing, and it shouldn’t be brushed aside with a ticket that in many cases is never paid.”
Garnier was speaking after visiting Londis retailers Raj and Senita Aggarwal at their store in Wigston, Leicestershire.
He discussed with them issues including crime, the tobacco display ban and under-age sales, but said Leicestershire police were not among those who took the issue of shop theft lightly.
The proposed ban on tobacco displays was slammed by Garnier as “gesture politics at its worst”. He added: “Quite a high proportion of small shops get the bulk of their income from tobacco and alcohol.
It would be a pity – since smoking’s not illegal and drinking’s not illegal – to place the burden of educating the public on the shopkeeper.”
On under-age sales, Garnier said: “It’s very difficult for retailers to police and it’s a bit unfair to put the burden wholly on the shopkeeper.
“Of course they do their best to make sure they are not selling to people who are under age, be it alcohol or tobacco.”
He conceded that there would always be a small proportion ofretailers who deliberately flout the law but said the solution lay in educating the public.
“We need to get it across to people that it’s not something to be ashamed of to be asked for proof of your age.
“We want these retailers to survive; we don’t want them thumped by big fines because some silly members of the public try and get round the system.”
David Shrimpton
The original story appears in Independent Retail News
