The prosecution of three men for taking food from a bin behind an Iceland store has been dropped. They were caught taking £33 worth of tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese and cakes from amidst the rubbish.

But what did they do wrong? And can this be right?


The Telegraph reported that the men were arrested around midnight on 25 October, after a neighbour reported them climbing over a wall behind the supermarket. They were found with the discarded food.

According to The Guardian, the three men were all from the same squat in North London, taking part in the increasingly common practice of 'skipping'. This is a movement which involves scouring supermarket bins for edible food that has been thrown away by the store.

Sky News have reported that the charges have been dropped after Iceland had questioned why the charges had been brought against the three men. The CPS stated a prosecution was "not required in the public interest".

Baljit Ubhey, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London, said: "This case has been reviewed by a senior lawyer and it has been decided that a prosecution is not required in the public interest.

"While the decision to charge was taken by the Metropolitan Police Service, a subsequent review of the case by the CPS did not give due weight to the public interest factors tending against prosecution.

"In reconsidering this case, we have had particular regard to the seriousness of the alleged offence and the level of harm done. Both of these factors weigh against a prosecution. Additionally, further representations received today from Iceland Foods have affected our assessment of the public interest in prosecuting.

"We hope this demonstrates our willingness to review decisions and take appropriate and swift action when necessary. The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to bringing the right charges to court when - and only when - it is proper to do so."

Night all...

Edwina Currie Says 'Pernicious' Food Banks Make People Poorer
28/1/14
Writing for the Spectator's Coffee House blog[/url], Currie argues that food banks end up making people poorer rather than helping them.
"Free food subsidises low wages; it helps support the black economy. It pauperises those it seeks to help. Like giving money to ‘homeless’ beggars on London streets, it encourages more of what it seeks to relieve