Labour blames ‘shoplifter’s charter’ for rising store thefts
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A “shoplifter’s charter” has seen charging for the offence plummet even as store thefts increase, Labour has said. More criminals are getting away with it and more local businesses are paying the price Yvette Cooper MP, shadow home secretary Speaking ahead of a national campaigning day focused on law and order on Saturday, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Under the Tories too many communities and high streets are being blighted by staggering increases in shoplifting, but charge rates are going down. Ms Cooper said the rule was “encouraging” repeat offenders and organised gangs, while neighbourhood policing had been “decimated” and high streets left “unprotected”. She said: “Labour will scrap the Tories’ shoplifter’s charter and bring in a community policing guarantee, with 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs to crack down on shoplifting and keep the public safe.” Co-operative Group chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq welcomed Labour’s commitment, saying they would “build on the progress the police have made” in attending reports of crimes in stores.