Criminal damage and loss of trade to a business should be taken into account when thieves are punished, according to a consultation by the Sentencing Council.

Draft guidelines are set out in the consultation on sentencing for shop theft offences, and it also recommends keeping the power to put thieves behind bars.

NFRN chief executive Paul Baxter said: “I hope that these new guidelines will remind the police that theft is a major concern for both retailers and their local communities and I would encourage all retailers who are a victim of these crimes to report it to the police.”

The consultation closes on June 26 – for more information and to complete the consultation click here.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.