KEMI Badenoch vowed she would tackle a shoplifter as long as they were “not too big”.
The Conservative leader’s comments came in a bid to crackdown on store theft and urge people not to turn a blind eye.
She told Times Radio: “I think it depends on how big they are. But yes, broadly, it would be my instinct.
“I think people should look after their personal safety. I think those people who are stronger should do more.”
Cases of shoplifting soared after a 2014 law change meant anybody stealing less than £200 of products would not be jailed.
Now, the British Retail Consortium says there are 55,000 thefts a day.
That equates to almost three offences every minute during typical shop opening times.
Some stores are battling the scourge by using facial recognition cameras to take digital “faceprints” of all their customers.
Major supermarket chains have trialled the cutting-edge AI systems, but thousands of independent retailers are also using them, too.
Kemi previously voiced her growing concerns at the launch of her party’s local election campaign.
The politician spoke with the owner of an independent clothing boutique in Croydon, south London, who claimed brazen shoplifters were stealing items off the rack in front of her.
“I know that there is now a tendency for people not to put themselves in harm’s way,” Kemi said.
“But I also think that sometimes we need to send a message that this is not acceptable. Lucinda’s is a different kind of shop.
“A lot of the shoplifting we see is of people stealing little bits and pieces from Greggs bakery.
“Sausage rolls are under lock and key. That’s not how things used to be. I think we should be able to say, no, stop that. This is not acceptable. People will do things if they think that they can get away with it.”
A Sun investigation last year told how dozens of branches of Greggs were being hit by thieves multiple times a day.
The chain has even put all items behind the counter at some stores in a bid to drive down crime.
Our probe triggered a pledge from Home Office ministers to clamp down on shoplifting.
Meanwhile, businesses opting for facial recognition must have signs notifying customers.
Some companies have seen such success with it they are planning to use it instead of security guards.
It is not illegal for private businesses to use facial recognition but data protection laws require organisations to process personal data fairly and transparently, and to ensure any use of data is necessary, proportionate and justified.
Where shops do not seek consent from customers they must prove facial recognition is necessary and comply with conditions and safeguards around how data is handled.
The tech company can act as data processor and controller on the retailer’s behalf.
The largest provider of facial recognition tech in the UK is Facewatch, used by Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Sports Direct, and it has more than 100,000 images of suspects.
Facewatch said the key principle is “transparency” and “clear signage so people understand what technology is being used”.
