Policing minister Chris Philp

Mr. Philp, speaking at a fringe event at the Tory party conference, encouraged people to carry out citizen’s arrests of shoplifters.

It comes amid a surge in retail crime across the country, with staff often facing violence and abuse by perpetrators.

Chris Philp told the Telegraph that forces must employ a “zero-tolerance” approach to theft where there is CCTV evidence.

Mr. Philp, speaking at a fringe event at the Tory party conference, encouraged people to carry out citizen’s arrests of shoplifters.

It comes amid a surge in retail crime across the country, with staff often facing violence and abuse by perpetrators.

Chris Philp told the Telegraph that forces must employ a “zero-tolerance” approach to theft where there is CCTV evidence.