ACS

ACS is urging MPs to show their support for Anne McIntosh’s Ten Minute Rule Bill entitled Theft from Shops (Use of Penalty Notices for Disorder) Act. The Bill will have Second Reading in the House of Commons on Friday 19th June.

The Bill seeks to amend the guidance issued to Police on the appropriate use of fixed penalties for incidents of theft from retail premises. The Bill would tighten the Guidance is a number of ways to ensure:
• that in all cases fixed penalties should be used only when dealing with first time offenders, who have no previous criminal convictions.
• fixed notice should be issued at a police station to emphasise the seriousness of the crime
• offences dealt with by a fixed penalty notice should be recorded on the Police National Computer within 24 hours. The information recorded should include the name, age, and address of the offender as well as details of the location, date, and value of the crime committed.
• fixed Penalties should only be issued if the manager of the retail premise consents to this sanction.
• a fixed penalty should not even be considered to be appropriate unless the stolen goods have been returned to the retail premise in an undamaged state.

Anne McIntosh MP said: “I am truly disturbed by the growth in retail crime. Shoplifting is a serious offence and should be treated as such. The use of fines and penalty notices is failing to recognise the seriousness of this dishonest crime and is proving ineffective in deterring crimes against business.

“The Government has encouraged the use of fines to replace court sentences as a means of combating retail theft. From 2004 to 2006, the number of shoplifting offences dealt with through a fine increased from 1.8 per cent of all offences to 27.2 per cent. From shops from 2002 to 2007, there has been a corresponding decrease of 27 per cent in the number of people prosecuted for theft. Fines clearly do not work as a deterrent. The average number of offences recorded annually has remained unchanged for a decade, even with the introduction of fixed notices.”

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Shop crime is a severe problem for the convenience sector. We have supported this Bill from the outset as it seeks to remove some of the inconsistencies around the issuing of fixed penalty notices for retail theft. It is crucial that fixed penalties are a credible punishment that will also deter first time offenders.

“The issue of gaining retailers’ consent is one that we have pushed hard for. Victims of crime need to have their voices heard more when it comes to sentencing the offender. This Bill could be a significant first step in doing this.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Michael Saxton/ Grappa PR
Julie Kirby 020 7602 9222

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.