Tories could spell end for controversial on-the-spot fines for shoplifters

The system of giving shoplifters on-the-spot fines instead of prosecuting them could be ended by a Tory move in Parliament tomorrow.

Under controversial powers brought in by Labour ministers in 2004, anyone caught stealing goods from a shop up to the value of £200 may be punished by police with an £80 spot fine rather than being charged and taken to court.

Critics say the fines amount to little more than an 'occupational hazard' for hardcore thieves.

More than a third of the fines are never paid, and offenders do not receive a criminal record.

Conservative MP Anne McIntosh will introduce a Ten-Minute Rule Bill tomorrow which would remove shoplifting from the list of offences for which police can hand out spot fines.

While the Government is likely to use its majority to defeat the measure, the Tories are hoping it will put pressure on ministers to change the law.

The move came as Malcolm Walker, founder of the Iceland supermarket chain, warned that his stores were 'plagued with a tidal wave of shoplifting' costing millions of pounds.