Posh shop Fortnum & Mason has stopped calling 999 to catch shoplifters.

Instead, the upmarket store brings in private detectives to start a prosecution against alleged offenders.

London’s Evening Standard reports the business has “lost faith” in the police.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Fortnum & Mason was “entitled to employ security companies to provide additional safety for themselves or their premises.

He added:

“The Met works closely with these companies, as well as carrying out regular patrols in and around central London.

“Dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Teams work closely with partners such as the Business Improvement Districts and local businesses to keep the area a safe place to live, work and visit.”

Last month major retailers – including Sainsbury and Tesco – called on the police to do more to tackle the rising crime.

And, the British Retail Consortium has linked a rise in shoplifting to increased levels of violence, abuse, and anti-social behaviour against shop staff.

The cost-of-living crisis has sparked a surge in shoplifting from all stores.

Home Office figures show shoplifting prosecutions have fallen to an all-time low.

Only one in six reported crimes ended in someone being charged.

It’s estimated more than 300,000 offences are going unpunished.

Sir Mark Rowley, the new Met Commissioner, said he was “upset” that an attitude had developed in which “there’s no point in ringing the police”.

He added: “We have to be paying attention to a full range of crimes.”