Stolen goods

LABOUR MP David Lammy wants the Theft Act amended to ensure lighter sentences are imposed on those who steal from wealthy department stores than on those who target smaller retail premises.

The Act itself may not differentiate in this way, but there’s an expectation of such thinking in the sentencing guidelines. They i nclude: ‘ When assessing the level of harm, the circumstances of the retailer are a proper consideration; a greater level of harm may be caused where the theft is against a small retailer.’

The maximum penalty for theft from a shop is seven years’ imprisonment which most people will, i suspect, deem s uff i ci ent to cover any eventuality. There is no need for the

change to primary legislation proposed by Mr Lammy. COLIN MacDONALD,

Bottesford, Notts.