The Police Minister is reassuring retailers officers will still turn up to reports of shoplifting.
RNZ reports staff have been directed to not investigate retail crime below $500 and online fraud below $1000.
Police may not take further action if the reports don't have enough evidence, such as CCTV.
However, Mark Mitchell told Kerre Woodham every crime deserves a response.
He says he wants to be clear that people can’t go out and shoplift anything under the value of $500 – there will be a police response, especially if the offender is able to be identified.
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