Of course people are struggling — but stealing is still stealing

As the cost of living crisis escalates, prepare yourself for more handwringing from the front line of foolishness.

First out of the traps, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, who warned price rises would ‘trigger an increase in crime’.

Andy Cooke risked the fury of struggling retailers by suggesting officers should use their ‘discretion’ when deciding whether to prosecute food shoplifters who may be ‘stealing to eat’.

One could argue that it is either wrong to steal or it is not, and we shouldn’t burden officers with having to make moral and ethical decisions — that is a job for the courts.

But what are we talking about here? We are not living in some Ken Loach fantasia where a desperate young mother steals formula milk from her local tesco. More likely to be someone slipping four shrink-wrapped fillet steaks into his jacket, maybe to sell down the pub later. It is never acceptable to steal. If officers turn a blind eye, where does that leave honest, law-abiding citizens who budget every week and forgo luxuries?

What crimes are going to be exempted next on the grounds of need and not want? Benefit fraud, burglary, car theft, Rolex snatching? Let us not forget that there are many safety nets to ensure that no one starves in modern Britain. A benefits system. Food banks. Charities. Churches. endless tory MPs and Jack Monroe giving instructions on what to do with a bag of lentils and a parsnip.

Where do we draw the line? Is it OK to steal tins of soup and cereal, but not OK to steal smoked salmon and a crisp white wine to go with it? Who is a chancer and a crook, who is really in need and who is to decide? Don’t ask Andy Cooke. he doesn’t know either.