Labour was accused of giving 'free rein' to criminals on Thursday as shoplifting, muggings and fraud hit the highest levels since records began.
Shock figures reveal Britain is in the grip of a 'retail crime epidemic' with one theft recorded every minute for the first time in history.
Shoplifting levels have doubled since the pandemic and rocketed by 20 per cent since the Government came into power last year.
At the same time, street muggings for mobile phones and handbags have spiralled, with a 15 per cent rise in personal theft to a record 151,220 offences.
Critics accused Keir Starmer of ushering in a soft justice crimewave after releasing thousands of thieves early from prisons at a time of falling police numbers. Police chiefs are warning of more cuts to come due to a lack of funding.
