Shoplifters brought to court without being detained

Newcastle authorities have introduced a new approach to handle suspected shoplifters, allowing them to be summoned to court without being taken into custody, aiming to speed up legal proceedings during the holiday season.

Retailers in Newcastle City Centre are now sending CCTV recordings of shoplifting incidents directly to the police. The police then fast-track these cases to court without detaining the suspects.

Northumbria Police reported that out of 60 individuals confronted with clear CCTV evidence, 58 have already admitted guilt, resulting in 2,700 in fines and 7,700 in compensation for the affected stores.

A police spokesperson explained that many shoplifters underestimate the likelihood of being caught, but quicker and more consistent prosecution serves as an effective deterrent.

Participation in the program requires retailers to have high-quality CCTV capable of clearly recording theft incidents. Currently, 29 shops are enrolled, all sending footage directly to the police, with suspects receiving court summons by mail.

Tariq Albassam, director of operations for the NE1 Business Improvement District (BID), which represents 1,300 retailers, noted that repeat offenders who once felt "untouchable" are now understanding that their actions will face consequences.

Chief Inspector Rob Bosson highlighted that this method drastically reduces the time needed to bring shoplifting cases to court, allowing law enforcement to handle more cases efficiently.

"Many habitual shoplifters act because they think the risk is minimal, but those who continue to offend will now face the court more frequently without direct police interaction," he said.

Author: Riley Thompson