Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to raise awareness of potential measures to reduce the risk of shoplifting and pick-pocketing in the Christmas period.

The Modern Crime Prevention Strategy, published in March 2016, sets out our analysis of the key drivers of crime, and how we are using this to inform our approach to tackling crime, including theft which incorporates both shoplifting and pickpocketing. The Modern Crime Prevention Strategy specifically mentions our work with the National Retail Crime Steering Group to support effective partnership working between retailers and the police to prevent crime including shoplifting. At busy times, such as the run up to Christmas, we would encourage both retailers and the public to be particularly alert to the risks of crime and to take necessary precautions. Where any offences are committed, we would encourage retailers and the public to report them to the police.