The Green Party’s new leader has called for a reform of the justice system’s approach to shop theft, arguing it is locking people up “far too often and far too quickly”.
Zack Polanski was elected leader of the Green Party for England and Wales on 2 September, succeeding co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 on his first full day as leader, Polanski admitted he would turn to shop theft if he were living in poverty.
He criticised the criminal justice system, suggesting imprisonment is not the solution for those stealing out of desperation.
“The fact we put women into prison sometimes for stealing baby powder or baby milk is clearly a huge gender issue. We are criminalising poverty and criminalising inequality, and we should have a look at that,” said Polanski.
“I’m not justifying shoplifting, there should be consequences. If I had no way of getting any money or food to my family, then I would consider shoplifting.”
He said imprisoning people for minor thefts in a “crumbling prison system” is “inconsistent and unsustainable”.
“We should make sure that there are criminal consequences when people don’t obey a law, but we must not keep criminalising poverty,” Polanski added.
It comes after shop theft incidents in c-stores soared to 6.2m in 2024, up from 5.6m the previous year, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The surge cost convenience stores a massive £316m last year.
Leading retailer Vince Malone of Tenby Stores and Post Office welcomed Polanski’s remarks, calling for alternative approaches to prison: “I agree with him that we are too quick to criminalise individuals and this serves no beneficial purpose, but we need to be very clear on what we want our society to be.
“Everyone has the right to live a comfortable life and efforts need to be put in place at all levels to ensure that no one feels their only option is to shoplift.”
For those who continue to break the law, there must be an “effective deterrence in place” because “jail is not the answer”, said Vince.
He suggested different forms of justice, such as revoking a driving licence or passport, or introducing curfews.
“These will have their issues too, but I’m clear that continuing the way we are as a society is not a viable situation. Our government, along with us retailers, the police, the judiciary and society at large has to work together to deliver a safer community,” added Vince.
Similarly One Stop retailer Priyesh Vekaria claimed prison is not the solution, but accountability must exist: “Sanctions such as restricting access to finance or credit on luxury items, cars, tvs, watches and mobile phones for repeat offenders must be explored.
“Without consequences, retail crime will continue to spiral out of control, undermining businesses and the communities they serve.”
He explained under no circumstances is shoplifting justified, but given the current climate there are “times he feels empathy”.
“In our stores we stop and challenge all shoplifting. Often, we can tell who is struggling by the items they have attempted to steal. We always tell them that if only they had asked, we would have helped them,” said Priyesh.
Priyesh said shop theft was given the “green light” after the Conservatives announced it would not police thefts under £200. “That single decision has emboldened offenders and left retailers and communities to bear the cost,” he said.
Labour has vowed an end to the “shameful neglect” of retail crime and has set out to scrap the £200 rule.
“Methods of dealing with shoplifting must be carefully considered by all in government, ministers and opposition alike. This is not an issue that can be brushed aside with sweeping statements,” said Priyesh. “It requires real solutions, rooted in responsibility and fairness.”
In response to Polanski’s comments on the radio, The ACS said stealing out of desperation or poverty is a very small minority of the people that are committing theft.
“The vast majority are either those stealing to order as part of organised criminality, or stealing to fund an addiction problem like alcohol or drugs. There’s also a growing segment of opportunists who are stealing simply because they don’t feel as though they’re going to face any consequences.
“Convenience stores are also really well tuned to the needs of the community, with many having close links to food banks and other local good causes.”
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