Brits admit to turning a blind eye to shoplifting

• A new survey reveals almost a quarter of Britons (23 per cent) have witnessed a minor crime, such as shoplifting, but did not report it.
• The research also found that one in ten respondents admitted to purposely stealing from a shop, while one in six unknowingly left stores with unpaid items, amidst a 20 per cent rise in shoplifting offences in England and Wales.
• The findings come as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a crime "blitz", and supermarket chain Iceland plans to offer a £1 reward for reporting shoplifters.
• A policing chief, Matthew Barber, faced criticism for urging the public to confront shoplifters, with policing minister Dame Diana Johnson subsequently warning against such interventions.
• The survey indicated men are more likely to report crimes than women, 45-54-year-olds are the least likely, and Leeds residents are the least likely in the UK to report shoplifting.

IN FULL

One in four Britons admit to witnessing shoplifting but not reporting it