Desperate people caught stealing essentials such as food are to be saved from prosecution under a ground-breaking pilot scheme backed by the police.
Store security staff will point shoplifters towards local food banks or pantries and debt advice services instead of detaining them for arrest.
It comes as UK shops report big rises in theft of essential low-value items from milk, cheese and cooking oil to baby milk and nappies during the cost of living crisis.
The pilot scheme, put forward by Labour MP Ian Byrne, is set to launch at stores in Liverpool’s West Derby area, which have been losing £50,000 a month as thefts rise.
And it’s backed by Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell, who blasted the Tories over the crisis. She said: “No one in our society should need to steal to eat or provide for children.
“It is a damning indictment of the legacy of this Government. Our focus is always on preventing crime. We are already engaged with the retail industry and community safety partners to try to ensure vulnerable people get support. This initiative in West Derby is focused on doing just that.”
West Derby supermarkets will train guards and staff to spot signs of desperate theft and react accordingly. Signs will be put up around the store giving details of support services.
Mr Byrne said: “This kind of theft is an act of desperation. We have many mums and dads who never would have considered shoplifting. What I want is to stop the criminalisation of the working classes.”
The scheme is supported by Cllr Barbara Murray, chair of Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel, who said she “couldn’t believe the amount of theft” from her local supermarket while other city crimes, such as burglary, are decreasing.
Mr Byrne hopes the pilot will be rolled out nationwide.
He said: “This is not the only area struggling. We’re not giving carte blanche for people to shoplift. But this is to show millions out there are in poverty – and it’s only going to get worse under the Conservatives.”
