Retailers in Leicester are trying a new way of punishing shoplifters which involves making offenders perform menial tasks in public.
Many feel that the method, known as 'restorative justice', is much more effective than pursuing a criminal prosecution or an on-the-spot fine.
A Boots store in the city centre was the first to trial the system after catching a group of female shoplifters. Instead of receiving police cautions, the first-time offenders were asked to wash staff cars and sweep the car park on a busy Saturday morning.
Independent retailer Raj Aggarwal, who owns two Londis stores in Leicester, said he thought the scheme was a good idea. He said: "Dragging people through the courts is a long-winded process, which very often results in no more than a slap on the wrist. However, a retailer using restorative justice wins on two levels: he gets something back for the crime committed against his store; and it's also more likely that the person caught will not re-offend."
Dick Pollard, community initiatives co-ordinator for city centre police, said: "Shoplifting can have a huge impact on staff as well as the business. This scheme means offenders are given one chance to redeem themselves and reflect on what they have done."
Many feel that the method, known as 'restorative justice', is much more effective than pursuing a criminal prosecution or an on-the-spot fine.
A Boots store in the city centre was the first to trial the system after catching a group of female shoplifters. Instead of receiving police cautions, the first-time offenders were asked to wash staff cars and sweep the car park on a busy Saturday morning.
Independent retailer Raj Aggarwal, who owns two Londis stores in Leicester, said he thought the scheme was a good idea. He said: "Dragging people through the courts is a long-winded process, which very often results in no more than a slap on the wrist. However, a retailer using restorative justice wins on two levels: he gets something back for the crime committed against his store; and it's also more likely that the person caught will not re-offend."
Dick Pollard, community initiatives co-ordinator for city centre police, said: "Shoplifting can have a huge impact on staff as well as the business. This scheme means offenders are given one chance to redeem themselves and reflect on what they have done."
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