SHOPLIFTING is justified for Brits living in poverty, the Green Party’s new leader has claimed.
Zack Polanski, 42, said people who steal because they do not have much money should be shown compassion.
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The former hypnotherapist told the BBC: “We are criminalising poverty and criminalising inequality — and we should have a look at that.
“A lot of people who are poor have to go around stealing because they have no other option.
“If I had no money or any way of getting any money or food to my family then I would consider shoplifting.”
Mr Polanski also said he wanted to look at the justice system, claiming it is locking up people “far too often and far too quickly”.
His words come a month after a report revealed almost 517,000 shoplifting offences took place in 2024 in England and Wales — the most since 2003 and a 20 per cent rise on last year.
The issue cost UK retailers £2.2billion in losses in 2023/24, which increases to £4.2billion when including crime prevention measures.
And more than 2,000 cases of violence or abuse aimed at staff were documented every day.
It was announced yesterday that Zack Polanski would take over the hard-left party from Bristol MP Carla Denyer.
After becoming leader, The new Green Party chief said: “The planet is burning and so is the public’s patience.
“People are rightly feeling let down and angry at Labour and are appalled by the rise of the far-right.
“People have been crushed by spiralling rents and bills while wages have not kept pace.
“We need bold action, bold leadership. It’s time the super-rich paid their share. It’s time to tax extreme wealth and redistribute it to those struggling to live, to breathe, to survive.”
As a hypnotherapist, Polanski claimed he could enlarge breasts with his mind.
