WE would never condone shoplifting. But the shocking news today that desperate York people have been stealing food in order to survive underlines just how tough the recession has been for many.

In the four months running up to Christmas last year, 200 different people in York were arrested for shoplifting. The vast majority of them – 170 – were first-time shoplifters unknown to the police.

Ian Cunningham, of the Safer York Partnership, said many had been taking food. “They were stealing to survive,” he said.

These figures simply underline the message of our Stamp Out Poverty campaign: that for too many people, life in the recession and after became grindingly difficult, often through no fault of their own.

Of course these people shouldn’t have resorted to stealing. Food banks have been set up in York to help those who cannot afford food for their families. There are also organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, which offers benefits advice for those struggling to make ends meet and can also negotiate with creditors.

We would hope that anybody in difficulties would turn to organisations such as this for help rather than resorting to theft.

Nevertheless, while we would expect anyone caught shoplifting to be prosecuted, we would hope that, particularly in the case of first-time offenders stealing to feed their families, justice could perhaps be tempered with a little mercy. That and some advice about where to turn for help.