Shoplifting has come to symbolise “broken Britain” wherever you are on the political spectrum. To some, it is the result of lawlessness, lax policing, excessive immigration and community breakdown. To others, it encapsulates the pernicious grip of racism, elitism and othering in the way the UK’s problems are portrayed and prosecuted.

Even those such as Nigel Farage who complain about the so-called “£200 investigation minimum” (a myth, according to police) may be surprised that in the 18th century, shoplifting could be punishable by death. Our latest Insights long read, by historian Charlotte Wildman, begins with the case of 28-year-old Margaret Stevenson, who was executed at Newgate prison in 1714 for stealing a piece of green silk from a London shop.

The past 300 years show us that shoplifting is a crime rooted in complex societal as well as economic issues. Traditionally, female thieves were more often described as shoplifters than their male counterparts. And the treatment of shoplifters has long been linked with the class and race of those accused. Some claim it is a form of protest in response to growing inequalities and extortionate profiteering. So who deserves our sympathy: the robbers or the robbed?

The Grenfell inquiry report this week laid blame for the deadly tower fire on a host of organisations. We hear how the privatisation of the building safety sector played a major role.

And cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been proven to significantly improve the mental health of people with a wide range of conditions. But evidence also suggests it can sometimes make some patients’ symptoms worse. Here’s why – and how these negative effects can be minimised.

Contact us here to have your event listed.

For sponsorship opportunities, email us here