§ 16. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any proposals to amend the law as it relates to shoplifting; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. We are not persuaded that the law relating to theft from shops requires amendment.
§ Mr. AdleyDoes my hon. and learned Friend recall that it is now almost 10 years since his Department produced the document "Shoplifting and Thefts by Shop Staff'? Since then, all that has happened has been a proliferation of anti-customer security devices by many of the large stores rather than the tackling of the problem that is really caused by their trading methods. Will he now 427 review that document and, in particular, will he closely consult magistrates, many of whom have to deal with the tragic parts of these cases, involving people who previously led blameless lives and who find themselves on serious criminal charges?
§ Mr. MayhewThe Home Office standing committee on crime prevention has been reviewing the report to which my hon. Friend refers. That review is almost complete but the fact remains that stealing from a shop is stealing, none the less. It would be wrong to make any change in the law that suggested that such stealing is somehow less serious than stealing from another area.