Are citizen's arrests on the rise?

[Salted_Peanut]

Shoplifting seems on the rise, so will we see more citizen's arrests?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8v11xq3pyo

Exeter shopkeeper said:

Last time we caught a lady, the police said it was going to cost too much money to chase this up, even though we knew who she was. We are doing our own policing really because the police are absent.

BBC News said:

Faced with what he describes as a "relentless" onslaught of shoplifting incidents, shopkeeper Martin Gaunt says he has carried out more than 50 citizen's arrests in the last two years ... With shoplifting at a record high in England according to the Home Office, some retailers say they have no choice but to tackle thieves themselves.

[V88Dicky]

I thought a citizen’s arrest was only for indictable offences?

If so, then is it not dodgy ground carrying one out for shoplifting?

[Wacky Racer]

Shops don't help themselves by putting small expensive items like perfume on open display.

Problem is only going to get worse unfortunately.

[gotoPzero]

V88Dicky said:

I thought a citizen’s arrest was only for indictable offences?

If so, then is it not dodgy ground carrying one out for shoplifting?

Theft is either way.

The Act does not say only indictable - just indictable.

Edit to add IANAL...

[peterperkins]

I hope so. Decent usually hardworking citizens doing their bit..
Let's hope they get backed up by the Police..

Yes of course it's fraught with potential danger.
Knife wielding nutter or someone dies under restraint or claims they have been assaulted etc etc.
But why should retailers etc have to put up with it.
Theft is scum behaviour simple as..

[Scrimpton]

V88Dicky said:

I thought a citizen’s arrest was only for indictable offences?

If so, then is it not dodgy ground carrying one out for shoplifting?

Also for either way offences like theft or assault

[Earthdweller]

V88Dicky said:

I thought a citizen’s arrest was only for indictable offences?

If so, then is it not dodgy ground carrying one out for shoplifting?

If a member of the public suspects someone is committing an indictable offence .. yes

However a lay person cannot be expected to know what is summary only or triable on indictment or either summary or indictment

Suspects is the key word

Theft can be tried on indictment so is covered

[CT05 Nose Cone]

peterperkins said:

I hope so. Decent usually hardworking citizens doing their bit..
Let's hope they get backed up by the Police..

Yes of course it's fraught with potential danger.
Knife wielding nutter or someone dies under restraint or claims they have been assaulted etc etc.
But why should retailers etc have to put up with it.
Theft is scum behaviour simple as..

Also everyone has a camera phone, very easy for edited footage to spread that makes you look like the aggressor.