Anyway, I popped into this thread to see if anyone else had commented on the government promising a crackdown. I heard on the radio last night/early hours that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was speaking out against it:
“We can’t carry on like this. This Labour Government will put neighbourhood police back on the beat in our town centres, with stronger laws on knife crime, shoplifting and assaults on shop workers to keep our communities safe... We will be a Government of law and order that puts the safety and security of our communities at its heart"
So more examples of Labour are the new Tories, this time the party of law and order.
I think it's fair enough, to say that attacks on retail and security staff is out of order. But I heard mention of creating a specific offence, which is nonsense. There are already crimes of assault, etc., which can be used to prosecute offenders.
But mostly it made me think 'Fuck you, Labour!' And 'Fuck you, Starmer, especially!'
Because if they hadn't voted against lifting the two child cap on child benefit, they might've addressed some of the poverty that leads people to shoplift!
Although I read an article that argued much of the increase in shoplifting wasn't poor individuals driven to shoplifting because of the cost of living crisis (for which, also take into account child poverty caused by inhumane government policy), it was caused by organised gangs stealing and selling stuff out of car boots or in pubs, etc.
But I'd argue the increased demand for the gangs wares is struggling impoverished people, they're at the root of this, whether they steal themselves or whether they buy the knock-off goods, it's because they can't afford supermarket prices.