Don’t let individuals off if they steal food in desperation, minister tells police | Police

The policing minister, Package Malthouse, has disputed the suggestion of the chief inspector of constabulary, Andy Cooke, that the price of living crisis will set off a rise in crime, branding it “old school” thinking.

As inflation hit a 40-year high of 9%, Cooke stated on Wednesday that officers should use their “discretion” when deciding whether or not to prosecute individuals who steal with the intention to eat.

Showing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Thursday, Malthouse, a longtime ally of Boris Johnson, said Cooke’s thinking was “old-fashioned”, adding: “Because people are challenged financially … that doesn’t essentially mean they’re going to turn to crime.”

The chief inspector of constabulary is the top of the unbiased assessor of police forces in England and Wales. Cooke, a former chief constable of Merseyside police, took over from Sir Tom Winsor within the role last month.

Malthouse has instructed officers not to let shoplifters off if they are stealing food out of desperation throughout the price of dwelling crisis.

He later advised LBC, ministers would ensure police don't turn a blind eye to shoplifters stealing food.

“In fact I wrote to chief constables just a yr or so ago saying they shouldn't be ignoring these seemingly small crimes,” he mentioned.

Earlier, the minister advised Times Radio: “The broad rule is that justice needs to be blind and I hope and imagine that's the principle that sits behind not just the police but the operation of the courts as effectively.

“I have to challenge this connection between poverty and crime. What we’ve found previously, and the place there is now growing evidence, is that actually crime is a contributor to poverty. That if you remove the violence and the crime from people’s lives they often prosper more than they otherwise would.”

Cooke had earlier stated: “The impact of poverty, and the influence of lack of alternative for folks, does result in an increase in crime. There’s no two ways about that.”

When asked how policing may keep away from being seen as the arm of an uncaring state, he mentioned forces throughout England and Wales have been expert in dealing with the tensions and dynamics of their communities.

“What they’ve acquired to bear in mind is what's the smartest thing for the community, and that particular person, in the best way they take care of those points. And I definitely absolutely support law enforcement officials utilizing their discretion – and they need to use discretion more usually.”