Lady Diana Johnson’s handbag stolen amid UK crime surge

Even the British crime minister has fallen victim to it.

Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, had her handbag snatched this week at a police conference where she spoke of an “epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting”.

The incident comes as police data shows shoplifting in England is at its highest level in 20 years, while thefts have increased significantly over the past year, according to The Independent.

A 56-year-old man from Coventry has been arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the incident and released on bail. Police said they were continuing their investigation, the BBC reported.

Johnson was speaking at the Police Commissioners’ Association (PSA) annual conference at the four-star Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, about 20 miles south-east of Birmingham.

In her speech, she blamed the Conservative Party for the country’s crime problem and outlined plans to strengthen community policing.

Johnson, a member of the far-left Labour Party, said their mission “is to restore respect for the rule of law on the streets of Britain, including respect for the police, which has sadly been eroded over the years.”

“Too many town centres and high streets across the country are gripped by an epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting, which is eating away at our communities and cannot continue,” she added.

Between March 2023 and March 2024, 443,995 shoplifting incidents were reported, a 30% increase from the previous year.

Robberies against people increased by 17% to 131,453 recorded crimes, The Independent reported.

Johnson reached out to X to express her thanks for the support following Tuesday’s incident.

“Becoming a victim of crime is a distressing experience, no matter who you are, and support is available,” she said in a message.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me messages of support and kindness following the events earlier this week. Being a victim of crime is a distressing experience, no matter who you are, and support is available. @VictimSupport

— Diana Johnson DBE MP 🇬🇧🇺🇦🌈 (@DianaJohnsonMP) September 13, 2024

Ms Johnson, who has been a minister since July, also said it was a “pleasure” to address the conference and that her mission was to tackle “serious crime”.

At the conference, PSA chairman Nick Smart said prisoners were being released without a proper plan and police would be left to deal with the aftermath.

Earlier today, 1,700 British prisoners were released under an early release scheme aimed at reducing pressure on the system.

According to reports, around 400 prisoners are expected to be released from London prisons alone.

With post wires