Home Secretary vows action after ‘absolutely shocking’ pet theft rise
THE Home Secretary has pledged to look at measures to tackle “absolutely shocking” pet thefts and to “go after” thieves who are profiting from the crime.
Priti Patel stopped short of committing to tougher new laws but said she was “looking into what kind of measures can be put in place in terms of the criminality”.
It comes after the former Conservatives leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called for tougher sentences for pet thieves amid reports of a spike in the crime.
Recent incidents in Derbyshire have included the theft of eight dachshunds from the Lee family near Swadlincote last Wednesday.
Derbyshire police also issued a public appeal last week, warning of a surge in dog thefts. They also pointed out that 30 dogs had been stolen in the county in 2020 and suggested a number of measures owners could take to secure their pets.
Nottinghamshire’s deputy police and crime commissioner, Emma Foody, has also urged dog owners to keep a closer eye on their pets.
According to Ms Foody, the charity Doglost has seen reports of thefts rise by 170% in the past year from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 in 2020.
Speaking on LBC Radio, Ms Patel said: “This is absolutely shocking, it’s a shocking crime that is taking place.”
“I’m looking at this, I am absolutely looking at what we can do.”
She said she was working with Sir Iain and talking to police because “we need to actually understand what is going on here”.
Ms Patel said: “This is a very serious issue… it’s absolutely horrible, quite frankly.
“We are definitely looking into what kind of measures can be put in place in terms of the criminality, because obviously that is the piece that sits with me, not the sentencing, what we might be able to do in laws to absolutely go after these individuals that are stealing pets and making money out of this.”
But she stopped short of suggesting that any new laws could be on the way. Instead, she said: “I’m not going to say a new law is on the way, I’m not going to promise something that not’s going to be delivered – but I am looking at this right now.”
Deputy Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “During the coronavirus pandemic, criminals have adjusted their activities and are taking advantage of the big demand for pets over the lockdown period.
“The cost of a puppy has considerably increased over the past year, making this a lucrative market for organised criminals to exploit.”