§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were imprisoned for shoplifting offences in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002. [143401]
§ Paul GogginsThe information requested is as follows:
Total persons sentenced and those sentenced to immediate custody for theft from shops, England and Wales, 2001 and 2002 Male Female Total persons sentenced 2001 60,155 19,418 2002 60,074 19,756 Persons sentenced to immediate custody 2001 12,652 2,397 2002 13,892 2,737 As percentage of total sentenced 2001 21 12 2002 23 14 It should be noted that courts' sentencing decisions are influenced by the seriousness of the offence and take into account previous convictions.