If you see a shoplifter, arrest them yourselves, policing minister says

HAYSIE

People who spot someone shoplifting should make a citizen’s arrest, the policing minister has said.

Britain is facing an ‘epidemic’ of shoplifting, retail bosses say, with experts pointing to roaming gangs and the gruelling cost of living crisis.

Speaking at a fringe Tory conference event yesterday, Chris Philip called on the public and shop security guards to intervene when it is safe to do so.

Otherwise, the MP for London’s Croydon South said, it will ‘just escalate’.

He told conference-goers according to The Times: ‘I would also just remind everyone that the wider public, including shop staff and security guards, do have the power of citizen’s arrest.

‘Where it’s safe to do so I would encourage that to be used, because if you do just let people walk in and take stuff and walk out without proper challenge, including potentially a physical challenge, then it will just escalate.

‘While I want the faster and better police response they can’t be everywhere so I would still think about stores setting that up in some cases.’




https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/if-you-see-a-shoplifter-arrest-them-yourselves-policing-minister-says/ar-AA1hFGTV?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=709e29f11f1647bc813d54b91056453c&ei=16

HAYSIE

The PUBLIC should stop supermarket shoplifters even if they have to get 'physical', says policing minister - after footage shows have-a-go heroes foiling Tesco robbery on lunch break


https://video.dailymail.co.uk/preview/mol/2023/10/04/7960709757173911280/636x382_MP4_7960709757173911280.mp4


Chris Philp urged members of the public to make citizen's arrests to snare thieves and called on retailers to use security guards to step in where it is safe to do so. The comments come amid have-a-go heroes foiling brazen Tesco 'shoplifters' on their lunch break who claimed it took half an hour for police to turn up to the alleged theft at the Waltham Abbey store in Essex. Mr Philp, the MP for Croydon South, made the comments during a fringe event hosted by the Policy Exchange think tank at the Conservative Party conference. During his speech, he reminded members of the public, shop staff, and security guards they have the power to carry out a citizen's arrest, reported The Times.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12591235/Arrest-thieves-taking-foods-supermarkets-minister-says-footage-shows-heroes-foiling-Tesco-shoplifters-lunch-break.html

goldon

If you see a shoplifter Children.... don't forget to scream ....you could win a blue peter badge or a stay at A&E ....hic!

FORDAKIDZ

I have to be honest, i have heard some old bollox from MP's in my 62 years on this earth but this takes the biscuit.

He reps south croydon but i bet he dont live anywhere near there and aint got scooby about life.

Complete and utter Pratt !

TheEdge949

Just give security officers REAL power to arrest and detain with full legal protection instead of doing it on the cheap. It's not rocket science.

It reminds me of that other idiot who suggested that martial arts courses should be taken to protect against knife crime.

Why is it that people with fk all knowledge of REAL life get to make the decisions that affect the vast majority.

Complete arsoul .

HAYSIE

TheEdge949 said:

Just give security officers REAL power to arrest and detain with full legal protection instead of doing it on the cheap. It's not rocket science.

It reminds me of that other idiot who suggested that martial arts courses should be taken to protect against knife crime.

Why is it that people with fk all knowledge of REAL life get to make the decisions that affect the vast majority.

Complete arsoul .

Bit like Trump wanting to arm teachers.

Bean81

When I worked in retail as a student, staff were tasked with preventing shoplifting. If it was a small kid, we would chase them up the road. If it was the local, massive, aggressive drug addict, we would leave him to it as long as he didn't take the ****.

Doubleme

I am not putting myself on the line if I see this happen either legally if I am held responsible for any force I use or physical danger I would put myself in.

goldon

Send in Winnie he'll give 'em some stick.

Doubleme

goldon said:

Send in Winnie he'll give 'em some stick.

yeah but little winni just swears at them he resembles malcom tucker in a number of ways. He is communist leaning though so he supports the little guy robbing the big corporation super markets. not my views but that is his views. So if anything he would help the shop lifter.

goldon

OK my Humour lost here...... put the flags out. hic!

Essexphil

There are a whole set of rules relating to making a lawful citizen's arrest. It is a lot more tricky than for the Police.

As examples-it needs to be an Indictable (not a Summary) Offence. Do you know the difference?
Do you know what amounts to "Reasonable Force"?
Do you know the rules pertaining to when and how you must tell the detainee what you are doing?
Do you appreciate the additional restrictions when police are present?
Do you appreciate the significant personal risks involved, together with the usual lack of reward for doing this? For example, are you confident that the shoplifter is not carrying a knife?

Sometimes, a Citizens Arrest is necessary, for example to save a life. But, more often than not, the advice from the police would be not to put yourself in danger.

We have a Government that thinks it knows better than experts in most things.

So-when to arrest people. Better than Head Teachers when to allow phones in schools. Whether local government should make 20 mph zones. And how the country should be governed in the next decade.

Regardless of the fact that they already need snookers to win the next election.

HAYSIE

Essexphil said:

There are a whole set of rules relating to making a lawful citizen's arrest. It is a lot more tricky than for the Police.

As examples-it needs to be an Indictable (not a Summary) Offence. Do you know the difference?
Do you know what amounts to "Reasonable Force"?
Do you know the rules pertaining to when and how you must tell the detainee what you are doing?
Do you appreciate the additional restrictions when police are present?
Do you appreciate the significant personal risks involved, together with the usual lack of reward for doing this? For example, are you confident that the shoplifter is not carrying a knife?

Sometimes, a Citizens Arrest is necessary, for example to save a life. But, more often than not, the advice from the police would be not to put yourself in danger.

We have a Government that thinks it knows better than experts in most things.

So-when to arrest people. Better than Head Teachers when to allow phones in schools. Whether local government should make 20 mph zones. And how the country should be governed in the next decade.

Regardless of the fact that they already need snookers to win the next election.

That sums it up quite well.
The man is a D1ck.

FORDAKIDZ

@Essexphil You need to copyright this

Regardless of the fact that they already need snookers to win the next election.