Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner says she wants to “myth-bust” claims that police won’t investigate lower-value shoplifting.

Lisa Townsend says “persistent rumours” they won’t respond when the value of items stolen is less than £200 are “categorically untrue”.

She’s cited a recent incident in Redhill where a suspected offender was detained after allegedly stealing store goods worth £7.50.

Reports of shoplifting in Surrey rose by 26% between December 2022 and last December.