Officers should use discretion over stealing to eat, says police watchdog

New chief inspector of constabulary says crimes of poverty should be dealt with in the best way possible'

The cost of living crisis will trigger an increase in crime and officers need to use their discretion" when deciding whether to prosecute people who steal in order to eat, the new chief inspector of constabulary has said.

The impact of poverty, and the impact of lack of opportunity for people, does lead to an increase in crime. There's no two ways about that," Andy Cooke said as inflation hit a 40-year high of 9%.

Every burglary victim should get a visit from the police.

Forces may be marked down by the inspectorate if they fail to do so.

The charging rate should more than treble, from the current 6% to at least 20%.

The criminal justice system is failing victims of rape.

Policing is still recovering from cuts inflicted by the Conservative governments from 2010.