Even the British Crime Secretary was a victim.
Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, had her bag taken this week at a police conference where she spoke of an ‘epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting’.
The incident comes as police data shows shoplifting in England has reached its highest level in two decades, with theft increasing significantly in the past year. according to The Independent.
A 56-year-old man from Coventry was arrested for burglary in connection with the incident and released on bail. Police say they are continuing their investigation the BBC reported.
Johnson was speaking at the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) annual conference at the four-star Chesford Grange hotel in Kenilworth, about 20 miles south-east of Birmingham.
In her speech, she blamed the Conservative Party for the country’s crime problem and outlined plans to strengthen community policing.
Johnson, a far-left member of the Labor Party, said their mission is “to restore respect for the rule of law on Britain’s streets, including restoring respect for the police, which has unfortunately been eroded for many years.”
“Too many town centers and high streets across the country are in the grip of an epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting, which is affecting our communities and cannot be allowed to continue,” she added.
Between March 2023 and March 2024, there were 443,995 reports of shoplifting, an increase of 30% compared to the previous year.
Thefts from the person rose by 17%, rising to 131,453 crimes recorded, The Independent reported.
Johnson went to X to express her gratitude for the support following Tuesday’s incident.
“Becoming a victim of crime is painful no matter who you are and support is available,” she said in a post.
Johnson, who has been minister since July, also said it was a “pleasure” to speak at the conference and said she is on a mission to tackle ‘serious crime’.
Speaking at the conference, PSA president Nick Smart said prisoners were being released without proper plans and police should face the consequences.
Earlier that day, 1,700 British prisoners were released from detention under rules of procedure early release program aimed at reducing pressure on the system.
According to reports, around 400 prisoners are expected to be released from London prisons alone.
With Postal Wires
