A MAN who has only just learned you can shoplift as much as you like under £200 without penalty wishes someone had told him earlier.
Until a minister demanded police investigate shoplifting even if the goods stolen are worth less than £200, Nathan Muir of Hitchin had no idea he could walk out with £199 of shopping worth scot-free.
He said: “Yeah, says here police won’t attend and all you get is a fine through the post. Well that’s the cost of living crisis sorted, quite frankly.
“I’m never buying more than £200, not even in Sainsbury’s. Even a big shop’s not clearing £150. What, do I have to scan it through to show it costs less and then they’ll just wave me out?
“Apparently under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act it’s a summary offence, I don’t even have to go to court and the fine’s £70. So as long as you’re nicking more than that you can’t lose.
“Who brought that in? 2014? The Tories. Well, who says they’re not on the side of the common man? Though they could have done better on informing us. There should be signs up in the aisles.
“Right, I’m off down Asda. Anyone want anything?”
