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<p>We recognise that shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It causes cost and disruption
to businesses, as well as damage to communities and consumers. We encourage all victims,
including shop workers, to report these crimes to the police so that they can be recorded
and dealt with accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>Out of Court Disposals are one important
tool available in addressing shop theft – they allow the police to deal quickly and
proportionately with low-level offending. Where an Out of Court Disposal is appropriate,
we encourage the use of disposals which have a condition attached (be that rehabilitative,
reparative, punitive or restrictive). This can achieve rapid compensation and/or divert
vulnerable offenders with substance misuse or mental health issues into rehabilitative
services to address the root causes of their offending behaviour.</p><p> </p><p>We
pay attention to trends and changes in the use of Out of Court Disposals on an ongoing
basis.</p>
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