Rishi recalls his family's agony as he cracks down on shoplifting

BACKLASH OVER SLUR ON ELDERLY

- Michael Knowles

RISHI Sunak has told how he witnessed thieves stealing from his parents' pharmacy.

The Prime Minister, speaking about the Government's new crackdown on the current surge in shoplifting, told store workers: "We've got your back."

Mr Sunak launched the drive in Horsham, West Sussex, where he visited shops including the local Boots and spoke to police officers.

Asked if his father Yashvir and mother Usha had ever chased thieves down the street, Mr Sunak said they had not.

But he told LBC radio: "It happened when we were there, and it's an awful thing. I know what it feels like.

Distressing 

"As a small family business, it's financially affecting and it's extremely distressing.

"We've got a really good track record on reducing crime since 2010 but the one area we've seen an increase, particularly in the last year or so, is retail crime. It's not acceptable. It's not right. It's awful."