One in four Britons admit to witnessing shoplifting but not reporting it
Brits admit to turning a blind eye to shoplifting
- A new survey reveals almost a quarter of Britons (23 per cent) have witnessed a minor crime, such as shoplifting, but did not report it.
- The research also found that one in ten respondents admitted to purposely stealing from a shop, while one in six unknowingly left stores with unpaid items, amidst a 20 per cent rise in shoplifting offences in England and Wales.
- The findings come as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a crime "blitz", and supermarket chain Iceland plans to offer a £1 reward for reporting shoplifters.
- A policing chief, Matthew Barber, faced criticism for urging the public to confront shoplifters, with policing minister Dame Diana Johnson subsequently warning against such interventions.
- The survey indicated men are more likely to report crimes than women, 45-54-year-olds are the least likely, and Leeds residents are the least likely in the UK to report shoplifting.