Chief Inspector Douglas said: “We do not make decisions based on the value of items stolen, although this does form a part of our risk assessment.
“We assess crimes based on balancing threat, risk and harm to the community or individual.
“It remains very important for all incidents of shoplifting and associated assaults to be reported to us so that we can identify crime patterns and offenders.
“I would like to reassure local communities and business owners that we do take reports of these types of incidents seriously. We will always investigate where there are viable and legitimate lines of enquiry available to us.
“We do appreciate the emotional, physical and financial impact that these types of offences can have, not only on those employed by local businesses, but the businesses themselves and also the wider community.”
