The Government is announcing plans to make it easier for police to punish shoplifters and says it is introducing stronger penalties for low-level theft.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee are making the announcement in Auckland.
It is the third law and order announcement of the week from ministers, following tougher sentences for assaults on first responders and punishment of up to life in jail for “coward punches”.
Asked this week if harsher penalties for attacking emergency service workers would be a deterrent, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: “It might well be. And I don’t care. I want it done because I want those people protected.”
