What penalties apply to shoplifting?
The penalty will depend of the severity of the offence and whether it is your first offence or if you been caught shoplifting before. Being caught for shoplifting can have serious consequences. A penalty notice is a common penalty for a first time offender. It is a fixed-fee penalty which can vary between £50-80. If you do not pay the fine then you can be taken to court for non-payment. Other penalties for first time offenders include a caution from the police, which can form part of a criminal record. You can also be asked by the shop you have shoplifted from to sign a document where you agree that you will not enter the shop for a certain period of time. If you are repeatedly caught shoplifting you can be tried at the magistrates’ court where you could face a custodial sentence (time in jail).
