It comes after the Daily Mail reported yesterday how forces abandoned investigations into 2.3million crimes without tracking down the culprit - equivalent to four every minute.
The shoplifter who as arrested in front of policing minister Chris Philp as he talked to store staff about the issue pleaded guilty this morning - and walked free from court.
Policing Minister Chris Philp saw a suspected shoplifter detained by police this afternoon - as he toured a shopping centre to speak to shop workers about the issue.