Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review the (a) minimum and (b) maximum sentences for theft from a shop of goods valued at under £200.

The Government currently has no plans to amend the penalties for shop theft.

Under the Theft Act 1968, the maximum penalty for theft is seven years’ imprisonment. Fixed penalty notices are not available for shop theft, but penalty notices for disorder may be used as a penalty.

Section 22A of the Magistrates Court Act 1980 provides that shoplifting, where the value of goods stolen is less than £200, is a summary offence unless the defendant elects to be tried in the Crown Court. As a summary offence, the maximum penalty is six months’ imprisonment.