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The
Midlands Regional Crime Initiative (MRCI) and it's members wish to register
their concern with the introduction of a fixed penalty scheme (£80 fine) for
shoptheft up to £200, and criminal damage up to £500, without gaining a
criminal record, or being dealt with by the courts.
The total cost of Retail Crime in 2003 is currently thought to be at least
£1.96 billion (theft and crime prevention) ‑ this roughly equates to £100
increase per household per year, as a result of shop theft.
Shoptheft is the major source of funding to purchase drugs ‑ 64 % of all
those arrested for shoptheft tested positive for heroin. Arrestees
using
heroin, cocaine or crack had an average illegal income of approximately
£13,000 per year. The common misconception is that shoptheft is committed
because of poverty. However, 28% of shopthieves are aged 17 years or under,
and 72% of those are male. The typical shoplifter is a young male drug
addict stealing to fund a drug habit.
Retail crime offenders already commit shoplifting rather than car crime,
mugging or burglary as shoptheft is not subject to the "three strikes and
you are out" rule at court. Drug addicted shoplifters can
and
do steal from shops over and over again, often in organized teams that roam
the country via the road and rail networks. Introducing an £80 fixed penalty
notice for shoptheft up to £200 and/or criminal damage up to £500 will act
as no deterrent whatsoever and may well attract people to shoplifting. In
all likelihood they will steal to fund the fine or not pay it all. It is
worth noting that in the 2002 pilot schemes (of the £80 shoplifting fine)
47% went unpaid. Shopthieves will be able to "collect" several fines under
these proposals without gaining a criminal record ‑ what deterrent is that?
The figure of £200 is being referred to as if it was a minor amount. A loss
of £200 worth
of goods to a small, independent shop or business is a serious loss, which
would require considerable extra sales and resources to recoup the loss.
Currently, if a shoplifter is caught and convicted at court, a retailer has
the opportunity to appeal for compensation for damaged, unsellable goods
(tags cut off etc.). This would not happen with a fixed penalty notice
scheme. In fact, a few such losses could put smaller retailers out of
business, while larger shops may be able to absorb losses more easily. At
the end of the day, however, it is still the law abiding shopper who will
have to pay, through increased prices.
Another factor to be taken into consideration is the spiraling physical and
verbal abuse that shop staff regularly suffer. This will surely increase as
a result
of this scheme, as more offenders are encouraged to steal from the retail
sector, secure in the knowledge that they will not face a criminal record.
Many of these offenders are under the influence of drugs while they steal,
and frequently offer violence & verbal abuse to staff.
The introduction of this scheme will fail everybody; not only businesses but
also the young drug addict shoplifter. When arrested and interviewed at a
police station, offenders have a chance to discuss their
problems
and seek help from various agencies, whether housing, social services or
drug treatment agencies. Again when they go to court, there is a further
chance to get help with their drug problem via a Drug Treatment and Testing
Order (DTTO). If the fixed penalty scheme is introduced these interventions
will not take place and the numbers of drug addicted shoplifters will spiral
out of control.
Retail crime is a “gateway” crime leading to more serious offending
behaviour. It is in all our interests to reduce drug related crime and not to
encourage
it, by decriminalizing it. |
