HC Deb 17 May 1984 vol 60 cc498-9
9. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been acquitted of shoplifting in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Mellor)

In 1982, the latest year for which figures are available, about 6,200 persons were acquitted of shoplifting charges in England and Wales. About 80,200 persons were found or pleaded guilty in the same year.

Mr. Janner

Given the increase in the number of people who are wrongly charged with this offence, is it not time for the police to undertake all prosecutions? Is the Minister aware that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis told me that he would be prepared for the Metropolitan police to take on the responsibility if he had the necessary resources? Will the Government give him the resources so that London can have the same system as Essex, Leicester and elsewhere, where it is being implemented decently, properly and fairly?

Mr. Mellor

Without casting aspersions on the way in which matters are handled in London, may I say that I share the hon. and learned Gentleman's belief that it would be better if the police were to take on a much larger role in prosecuting these offences. We are discussing the matter with the Commissioner. The hon. and learned Gentleman will know that we are bringing forward proposals to create an independent prosecution system. I have no doubt that a central part of that in London will be that the police should take over the prosecution of shoplifting offences.

Mr. Adley

As 12 years have passed since the Home Office accepted the validity of the proposition that self-service shopping encourages shoplifting, what is the view of the Home Office of people and organisations which, for their own trading purposes, introduce systems which result in an increase in crime?

Mr. Mellor

I cannot agree that supermarket shopping, which many find convenient, is an invitation to commit crime. I remind my hon. Friend that an essential part of the offence of theft is dishonesty. If someone places a package in the wrong basket merely by accident, that will be a valid defence if it is believed by the magistrates or a jury.