People are stealing essentials.. it's new kind of shoplifting

Cops back plan to stop arrests

- LAURA CONNOR

DESPERATE people caught stealing essentials such as food are to be saved from prosecution under a ground-breaking pilot scheme backed by the police.

Store security staff will point shoplifters towards local food banks or pantries and debt advice services instead of detaining them for arrest.

It comes as UK shops report big rises in theft of essential low-value items from milk, cheese and cooking oil to baby milk and nappies during the cost of living crisis.

The pilot scheme, put forward by Labour MP Ian Byrne, is set to launch at a Tesco in Liverpool's West Derby area, which has been losing £50,000 a month as thefts rise.