§ Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have occurred in the incidence of shoplifting crimes in the last 10 years.
§ Mr. JohnThe available information is as follows:
OFFENCES OF SHOPLIFTING RECORDED AS KNOWN TO THE POLICE ENGLAND AND WALES 1966–1975 Year … … … Number 1966 … … … 68,288 1967 … … … 70,971 1968 … … … 78,490 1969 … … … 91,169 1970 … … … 101,822 1971 … … … 119,281 1972 … … … 126,844 1973 … … … 130,161 1974 … … … 164,063 1975 … … … 175,552 The figures for 1966–68 cover offences then classified as "larceny from shops and stalls" and do not include offences attributable to children below the age of criminal responsibility. Offences so 243W attributed are included in the figures for 1969 and subsequent years, during which the Theft Act 1968 has been in operation.
§ Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of shoplifting crimes are committed, respectively, by men and women; what proportion of each group is imprisoned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JohnThe information requested is available only in respect of those offences which result in a finding of guilt or a caution. In 1975, of those found guilty of, or cautioned for, offences of shoplifting, 52.6 per cent. were males and 47.4 per cent. were females. Of those found guilty, 3 per cent. of males and 0.5 per cent. of females were given custodial sentences.