10 October 2008
Looking ahead to the second reading of her 10 Minute Rule Bill that aims to stop shoplifting from being listed as an offence that attracts a Penalty Notice for Disorder, MP for the Vale of York and Parliamentary Candidate for Thirsk and Malton, Miss Anne McIntosh said:
“Britain is the shoplifting capital of Europe, and with present credit crunch and economic turmoil in country, and in the six-week lead-up to Christmas this year, it is expected that around £500 million worth of goods will vanish from shop shelves. Crime against business is often thought to be victimless, it is not. The victims are the communities that small businesses sustain and small business owners themselves are facing a climate of constant intimidation and violence. Crime impact upon business in a number of ways, including the inability to meet customer deadlines, damaging profitability, wasting management time and affecting staff morale, to name but a few.”
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd