We'll make Britain a safer place

Leader's pledge to give country its future back

- JOHN STEVENS

KEIR Starmer will pledge to tackle the scourge of shoplifting as he vows to make Britain's streets safe again.

The Labour leader will today promise to end the scandal that has seen criminals escape proper punishment if goods are worth less than £200.

And he will make sure thugs who attack shopkeepers face tougher sanctions.

In what is expected to be his final party conference address before the next General Election, Mr Starmer will vow to "give the country its future back".

Last night, he insisted "Labour is the change this country needs" as he declared he is ready to begin his campaign to get to No10, saying: "Bring it on."

The Mirror has been demanding urgent action to tackle the epidemic of shoplifting that is sweeping Britain's high streets.

Our campaign to Clamp Down on Shoplifting has been calling for the reversal of Tory laws that downgraded the theft of goods worth less than £200 to a minor offence, which has meant thieves get off with just a fine in the post.