Sarwar ‘at bottom of the barrel’ over claims shoplifting has been legalised

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was accused of being “at the bottom of the barrel” after claiming the Government has effectively legalised shoplifting.

Mr Sarwar raised the issue of shoplifting at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday having visited businesses in Glasgow this week in the wake of a 57% increase in the crime in the past decade.

He said: “The SNP has a soft-touch approach to crime in our country.

“Since the last election, shoplifting is up 124%, shop staff are going to work fearing for their safety, and communities are undermined by criminals who feel like they can get away with it.

“Will John Swinney and his SNP Government apologise for effectively legalising shoplifting in Scotland?”

But Mr Swinney attacked the Labour leader’s line of questioning, saying: “I think Mr Sarwar is at the bottom of the barrel today, if I may say so.

“The accusation that there is a soft-touch justice system in Scotland might have some validity if we were not incarcerating more people than any other Western European country and if our prisons were not facing the increase in population that they’re facing.

“The charge that Mr Sarwar has put to me is a baseless charge, which is unworthy of the Labour leader in the Scottish Parliament and he should withdraw it.”

The First Minister went on to say the Government had provided money in its budget for retail crime, as he accused Mr Sarwar of “ramping up the rhetoric”.

But the Labour leader then accused the First Minister of “living on another planet”.

“He wants to focus on inputs when the reality is shoplifting is up 124%, and clear-up rates show that fewer than half of all shoplifting crimes are even solved,” he said.

The Labour leader went on to claim “after years of SNP cuts” to the police, officers only investigate instances of shoplifting where staff are able to name the suspect.

“The situation is so bad that businesses in Edinburgh have had to form a shop watch scheme to try and investigate crimes against their own businesses,” he said.

“Victims of crime, being forced to investigate offences perpetrated against them – is that the best we can do?”

He asked if the First Minister had “given up on keeping communities safe”.

Responding, Mr Swinney said: “On the budget – that Mr Sarwar never voted for – this Government put in record investment of £1.64 billion for policing, enabling us to deliver police services the length and breadth of the country.”

The Government is also working to ensure there is an “effective police presence” across Scotland, the First Minister added.