POLICE have hit back at a solicitor who claimed officers had caused an increase in shoplifting by 'minimising’ the offence.

Jonathan Taylor told magistrates the offence was being trivialised because offenders with extensive records were being dealt with by fixed penalty notices.

But officers said the use of fixed penalties was an effective tool for dealing with ‘low level offenders’.

While defending a client, Mr Taylor told Blackburn Magistrates’ Court: “The message has circulated that shoplifting is not viewed as a serious offence.

"The police appear to be handing out fixed penalties right left and centre, although there is no consistency in the decisions as to who receives them and who goes before the courts.

“One shoplifter I am aware of was recently given a fixed penalty despite being on bail for a shoplifting offence and I know this kind of example has drawn stinging criticism from District Judge Ward sitting in these courts.”

He added: “A different officer on a different day may have decided that my client should have been dealt with by way of a fixed penalty.”

But police said that fixed penalties were an effective way of dealing with minor shoplifters and that repeat offenders or those stealing items of higher values would be taken through the court process.

Inspector Dave Croll said: “PNDs are seen as an appropriate disposal option for certain categories of offence including shop theft.

"There are guidelines which state clearly when they are and are not an appropriate option.

"It would appear from the circumstances outlined here that a PND would not have been appropriate and the matter rightly went before the court in accordance with the guidelines.”

Eastern division has seen a 2.6 per cent reduction in its year-to-date shoplifting figures, with 75 per cent of reported shoplifting leading to arrests.

However, the credit crunch has been blamed for an extra 30 offences a month in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.