ACS Meet with Sentencing Advisory Panel to Discuss Proposals
31 Oct 2006
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has met with the Sentencing Advisory Panel secretariat to discuss the effects of the proposals on smaller retailers.
The Sentencing Advisory Panel, an independent advisory body to the Government, is examining the sentencing of criminals who commit shop theft.
The Panel is considering two options. Firstly for a standard offence to never attract more than a community order. This means that even a persistent offender would not be sentenced to jail time. Or secondly, to allow for a custodial sentence to be applied for shop theft committed by a ‘seriously persistent offender’.
The ACS team led by Chief Executive James Lowman, with ACS Public Affairs and Communications Manager Shane Brennan and Jonathan James, an independent Budgens retailer from Cambridgeshire, met with the panel to inform them of the potentially damaging effect that taking away the threat of a jail sentence could have on a small retail business.
James Lowman said: “Shop theft is a serious crime that impacts on local shops and the communities they serve. There must be an option for magistrates to punish persistent thieves with a custodial sentence.
“We had a very useful face to face meeting with the secretariat, which was vital to allow us to discuss the issues fully. The panel carefully listened to our views and are now wholly aware of the effect that their proposal may have on small shops.”
Budgens retailer Jonathan James said: “Going to the panel and making it clear the effect of these proposals on my business was an important step in ACS’ campaign against removing the threat of custodial sentences for shop thieves.
“I was encouraged by the hearing and felt the panel were interested in hearing from a victim of shop theft and undoubtedly took my comments on board.”
Contacts:
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
James Lowman Chief Executive
01252 515001 / 07801 831 772
Notes to Editors
1) The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) was formed in 1995 as the retail trade association for the UK convenience store sector. ACS is the fastest growing trade association in the UK retail market, representing over 32,500 shops.
2) ACS has established strong links in Parliament through its lobbying activities on behalf of the neighbourhood store sector.
3) ACS met with the Sentencing Advisory Panel on Monday 30th October.
The Sentencing Advisory Panel, an independent advisory body to the Government, is examining the sentencing of criminals who commit shop theft.
The Panel is considering two options. Firstly for a standard offence to never attract more than a community order. This means that even a persistent offender would not be sentenced to jail time. Or secondly, to allow for a custodial sentence to be applied for shop theft committed by a ‘seriously persistent offender’.
The ACS team led by Chief Executive James Lowman, with ACS Public Affairs and Communications Manager Shane Brennan and Jonathan James, an independent Budgens retailer from Cambridgeshire, met with the panel to inform them of the potentially damaging effect that taking away the threat of a jail sentence could have on a small retail business.
James Lowman said: “Shop theft is a serious crime that impacts on local shops and the communities they serve. There must be an option for magistrates to punish persistent thieves with a custodial sentence.
“We had a very useful face to face meeting with the secretariat, which was vital to allow us to discuss the issues fully. The panel carefully listened to our views and are now wholly aware of the effect that their proposal may have on small shops.”
Budgens retailer Jonathan James said: “Going to the panel and making it clear the effect of these proposals on my business was an important step in ACS’ campaign against removing the threat of custodial sentences for shop thieves.
“I was encouraged by the hearing and felt the panel were interested in hearing from a victim of shop theft and undoubtedly took my comments on board.”
Contacts:
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
James Lowman Chief Executive
01252 515001 / 07801 831 772
Notes to Editors
1) The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) was formed in 1995 as the retail trade association for the UK convenience store sector. ACS is the fastest growing trade association in the UK retail market, representing over 32,500 shops.
2) ACS has established strong links in Parliament through its lobbying activities on behalf of the neighbourhood store sector.
3) ACS met with the Sentencing Advisory Panel on Monday 30th October.