HC Deb 03 August 1978 vol 955 cc526-8W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department where any definition of shoplifting as an offence is to be found; whether, in the light of its separate enumeration in the criminal statistics, he regards it as different in nature and quality from other types of theft; and how such differences arise.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Shoplifting is a form of theft as defined in the Theft Act 1968, and has no separate legal definition. As a means of increasing the publicly available information about the incidence of theft, the criminal statistics classify theft, according to the circumstances of the offence, into one of 10 separate categories, of which "shoplifting" is one. For this purpose shoplifting is defined, in the instructions given to the police for the preparation of statistics relating to crime, as theft of goods intended for sale though not necessarily on display This definition does not have a legal significance.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will sub-divide the recorded offences of shoplifting, in England and Wales 1977, into categories of £5 and under £10, £10 and under £15, and £15 and under £25; and if he will sub-divide these statistics in future years;

(2) if, in preparing the criminal statistics relative to the offence of shoplifting, concerning the taking of several items from one store, a single summons is issued and shown there for statistical purposes;

(3) what is the total estimated value of goods lost by shoplifting in 1977; and if he will tabulate the figures for the previous 10 years;

(4) what was the total of the fines imposed upon the 36,000 persons over the age of 21 years convicted in magistrates' courts of offences of shoplifting in England and Wales in 1977;

(5) in respect of the 61,000 persons over the age of 21 years prosecuted in magistrates' courts for shoplifting in England and Wales in 1977, what was the total value of property allegedly stolen by those persons and the total value of the property recovered from them;

(6) if he will sub-divide the offenders cautioned for theft and handling stolen goods into two categories, namely (a) shoplifting, and (6) other thefts, both in Table 5.3 (Offenders cautioned by type of offence and sex) and in Table 5.5 (Offenders cautioned by type of offence, age and sex), in the Criminal Statistics for England and Wales 1977.

Mr. John

I am obtaining the available information and will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will indicate for each of the last 10 years, what proportion of official cautions are delivered to people (a) aged under 17 years, (b) 17 to 21 years, and (c) over 21 years; and if cautions are considered less appropriate for people over 21 years; (2) what official guidance is given to police officers who are told to issue a caution for a shoplifting offence; (3) what is the lowest seniority of police officer who can issue a caution; what is the lowest seniority of police officer who can make a decision to caution; and on what criteria the decision is made.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Decisions about cautioning are within the responsibility of chief officers of police and no guidance on the use of cautions in respect of offences of shoplifting has been issued by the Home Office. A caution is administered only if there is evidence available which would be sufficient to support a prosecution and if the person concerned admits the offence; considerations such as the age and background of the offender, the gravity of the offence and the wishes of the aggrieved person may also be taken into account. It is a matter for individual chief officers of police to determine the level at which a caution may be decided upon or administered, but I understand that the authority of a senior officer is normally required. I am obtaining the available information about the administering of cautions to different age groups and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate how many hours of police and magistrates' time were spent in dealing with the 61,000 persons over the age of 21 years who were prosecuted in magistrates' courts for shoplifting in England and Wales in 1977.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Records are not kept in a form which would enable these figures to be estimated.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has given advice to chief officers of police on whether an offence of shoplifting involving the taking of several items from one store should normally be the subject of a single summons for the total value of the items so taken.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

No.