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Original poster

Arrest a shoplifter says Tory MP. Would you? I wouldn't.

136 replies

newnamethanks · 04/10/2023 08:23

This is the latest economy they wish to foist upon us. Please detain anyone you spot helping themselves to goods which belong to a shop. Don't think about your own personal safety, just be public spirited enough to interrupt that junkie over there helping himself. As if.

OP posts:
heldinadream · 04/10/2023 08:28

Gosh no, but can I arrest a Tory mp instead? That would do much more overall good to society IMHO.

Thesearmsofmine · 04/10/2023 08:30

What could possibly go wrong?!!!

HelpMeGetThrough · 04/10/2023 08:30

Nope, what other people do, is no concern of mine, unless they try and drag me in to it.

I just walk on.

Naunet · 04/10/2023 08:31

Why can’t shops just hire security? It’s not their customers job to protect their profits.

autumniscomingsoon · 04/10/2023 08:32

Not just personal safety id also be concerned id be the one ending up being prosecuted for assault / battery etc

autumniscomingsoon · 04/10/2023 08:32

Literally holding someone could result in so many problems

CornishClott · 04/10/2023 08:33

He can lead by example then can't he

HermioneWeasley · 04/10/2023 08:36

No thanks, I don’t fancy being stabbed. Perhaps the police who have all the time in the world to interview women about misgendering and stickers and dance at pride parades could, I don’t know, do their jobs? Just a crazy idea.

IAmAnIdiot123 · 04/10/2023 08:39

No I wouldn't but I am oblivious to this sort of thing, I would be the knob head helping them load the car if they looked like they were struggling.

LizzieSiddal · 04/10/2023 08:44

Just another shit idea form the Tory’s because they’ve fucked our country and don’t have any real answers.

AuntieJoyce · 04/10/2023 08:45

heldinadream · 04/10/2023 08:28

Gosh no, but can I arrest a Tory mp instead? That would do much more overall good to society IMHO.

That would be a proper public service

Doglover19 · 04/10/2023 08:48

Well we already have groups of ppl catching paedos for the police now they want us to catch shop lifters..
This country is fked !!

TawnyLarue · 04/10/2023 08:49

No. I absolutely do not care.

TheQuestToStopPigeonWoppie · 04/10/2023 08:51

CornishClott · 04/10/2023 08:33

He can lead by example then can't he

But wouldn't he have someone who does his shopping for him? No male tory MP would be seen dead doing anything so plebeian as getting something nice for tea...

Westfacing · 04/10/2023 08:51

Say you did make a citizen's arrest, what then?

The police don't come out to shoplifting offences so what are you supposed to do with the miscreant?

LessonsInPhysics · 04/10/2023 08:52

Westfacing · 04/10/2023 08:51

Say you did make a citizen's arrest, what then?

The police don't come out to shoplifting offences so what are you supposed to do with the miscreant?

Do you not have a spare room? 😉

CalistoNoSolo · 04/10/2023 08:52

No way Jose. If the shop workers are told not to intervene wtf should I? And its not just the physical risk to me from the scumbag thief, its the very good chance that I would be the one arrested for 'assaulting' said thief when I intervene. Just no all round.

jotunn · 04/10/2023 08:52

No.Utterly ridiculous idea. Even if you actually managed to stop the shoplifter without being stabbed, what do you do with them until the police arrive (or not). Sit on them indefinitely and hope they don't try to get away and you don't need the loo?

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 04/10/2023 08:53

The shop staff themselves are told to just let shoplifters walk out because its safer for them so why would someone random try and stop them?

FrankensteinCastle · 04/10/2023 08:54

Nope.

I was in a tesco express, and the whole queue stood and said nothing while right in front of us a woman opened up a backpack and started shovng packets of cheese into it, and then scarpered.

No one is prepared to do this, I think people see shoplifting as a victimless crime (I know it isn't) and preferable to mugging or house burglaries for instance.

Mangledrake · 04/10/2023 08:55

Westfacing · 04/10/2023 08:51

Say you did make a citizen's arrest, what then?

The police don't come out to shoplifting offences so what are you supposed to do with the miscreant?

Sounds like the beginning of an excellent road movie. You'll have a bonding experience, learn to see life from the shoplifter's perspective, meet some of their quirky friends, pick up a random spirited elderly relative and make your way to No 10 to change the world together.

MessyMyrtle · 04/10/2023 08:55

Police your fellow citizen.
How many ways could that go wrong?
This Tory Mp isn’t very smart is he?
I can see this ending badly.

Have the police come out and said ‘don’t do that’ yet?

Towerofsong · 04/10/2023 08:55

I don't understand why they are even suggesting it, it's outrageously irresponsible.

Firstly a citizens arrest in the UK is only legal for an "indictable offence". An indictable offence is a more serious offence that would carry a prison term of more than 6 mths and be tried in a crown court. Eg a serious assault, murder and so on.
Shoplifting would get maybe 2 weeks in prison, or more likely a slap on the wrist, and be tried at magistrates court.

Encouraging members of public to 'have a go' just puts them at risk at the time and also legally vulnerable.

Beezknees · 04/10/2023 08:55

Haha. No one in their right mind will do this.

Westfacing · 04/10/2023 08:56

Has any journalist questioned the idiot MP further on this, on what you are allowed to do/not to do, possible scenarios, etc?

A lawyer on the radio earlier said you can only do a citizen's arrest for an indictable offence - how are we supposed to know what is and isn't?

I

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