No excuse for shoplifting because UK’s benefits system is very generous, says policing minister

London: The cost of living crisis is “no excuse” for a rise in shoplifting, the policing minister has told Sky News, because the UK’s benefits system is “very generous”.

Chris Philp’s comments come amid escalating levels of retail thefts, with increases blamed on inflation, organised crime and a lack of focus from police.

Asked if he had any sympathy for people stealing to put food on the table, Mr Philp said gangs, criminal re-selling and drugs were largely to blame.

“There really is no excuse for crime at all, including shoplifting… we’ve got a very generous benefits system of spending… the national minimum wage has just gone up,” the policing minister added.

A survey by the British Retail Consortium this year found levels of shoplifting in 10 major cities had risen by an average of 27% compared with 2022, costing businesses £1.76 billion over a 12-month period.

Sky News was invited to join Sussex Police’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership on a patrol in Brighton in the run-up to Christmas.

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Field officer Nick Strickland said one supermarket in the centre of the city had a day when it saw 15 thefts in the first two hours it was open, with thieves targeting the store before security guards arrived.

He says meat, dairy and butter are frequently taken because of rising prices and high resale values.

“Some stores don’t even put meat on to the shelves until they’ve got a security guard in the store… if you want something, you have to go and ask,” Mr Strickland said.

Sky News was also shown a clothes store that had been targeted by suspected organised criminals who stole whole racks of products.

“They’ll come in, usually by the door, and just wrap their hands around the coat hangers, lift them and either put them in a bag or just lift them and run out the front door,” Mr Strickland added.