Even the British Minister for Crime has fallen victim to it.
Minister for Police, Fire and Crime, Diana Johnson, had her handbag snatched as she spoke at a police conference this week about the “epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting”.
The incident comes as police data shows shoplifting in England has reached its highest level in 20 years, with theft also rising significantly over the past year. According to The Independent.
A 56-year-old Coventry man was arrested on a theft charge in connection with the incident and has been released on bail. Police said investigations were continuing. The BBC reported.
Mr Johnson was speaking at the Police Chiefs' Association (PSA) annual conference, held at the four-star Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, about 20 miles southeast of Birmingham.
In her speech, she blamed the Conservative government for the country's crime problem and outlined plans to strengthen community policing.
Johnson, a far-left Labour member, said their mission was “to restore respect for the rule of law on Britain's streets, including restoring respect for the police which has sadly been lost over the years”.
“Anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting are rampant in too many town centres and high streets across the country and it is undermining our communities and we cannot allow this to continue,” she added.
The number of reported shoplifting cases from March 2023 to March 2024 was 443,995, up 30% from the previous year.
According to the Independent, personal theft rose by 17%, with the number of recorded crimes reaching 131,453.
Johnson thanked X for his support following Tuesday's incident.
“Being a victim of crime is difficult for anyone, but support is available,” she said in the post.
Johnson, who has been minister since July, “An honor” to speak at the conference And she said she was on a mission to tackle “serious crime.”
During the meeting, PSA chairman Nick Smart said prisoners were being released without a proper plan and it would be left to police to deal with the consequences.
That day, 1,700 British prisoners Early Release Program The aim is to reduce strain on the system.
Reports suggest that around 400 prisoners are set to be released from London prisons alone.
With post wire
