§ 12. Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women have been charged with and convicted of shoplifting during the most recent 12 months for which records are available.
§ Mr. John PattenIn 1986, 48,188 men and 25,157 women were proceeded against for theft from shops, and 42,142 men and 22,092 women were found guilty of such an offence.
§ Mr. JannerBearing in mind that many of those who were found guilty had pleaded guilty and that, of those who pleaded innocent, a majority were acquitted, will the Minister accept that there is a great risk of innocent people in self-service stores being prosecuted for shoplifting through mere forgetfulness and carelessness? As such a 1097 risk is at its height during the present Christmas shopping period, will he warn shoppers to take great care so that they do not spend Christmas in fear? Will he also advise those who are responsible for prosecuting to be especially careful about how they deal with the elderly and the ill in such matters?
§ Mr. PattenI appreciate the hon. and learned Gentleman's long-standing interest in the subject. Theft is theft. If people are found guilty of theft, they must be punished for theft. People can be found guilty only if the prosecution is able to prove dishonesty. The Attorney-General's guidelines to the police tell them how to handle elderly, confused or forgetful people.