Diana Johnson, the British Minister for Police and Crime, had her handbag stolen during a conference, media reports say. The politician spoke about the rise in the number of thefts in the UK.
The theft occurred on Tuesday as Diana Johnson attended a Police Superintendents' Association conference at the Chesford Grange Hotel near the town of Kenilworth in central London. England – reported the media. Warwickshire Police said a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the incident and later released on bail. Enquiries are ongoing.
The minister supervising the police had her purse stolen
The Police and Crime Secretary announced plans to train more officers to tackle anti-social behaviour during a speech on Tuesday. “Too many town centres and high streets across the country have been hit by an epidemic of anti-social behaviour and theft, including shoplifting, which is devastating our communities,” Johnson said.
Diana Johnson Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images
Great Britain has faced a rise in thefts in recent years. While crimes have generally been falling, thefts of items such as handbags and mobile phones have increased by more than 150 percent in the past year, according to a statement posted on the British government's website on September 3. “It is estimated that around 78,000 people have been victims of phone or handbag thefts on the streets,” it reads. Police data suggests the rise is linked to “increased demand for used smartphones.”
The increased number of thefts has also contributed to a decline in trust in the police. Survey A YouGov poll earlier this year found that more than half of the British public do not trust the police to detect crime. More than a third of respondents said they also did not trust the police to maintain public order.
British PoliceCLICKMANIS/Shutterstock
Reuters, The Independent, gov.uk
Main image source: Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images