Actually the statutory definition is even more precise - s.1 of the Theft Act states that "A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and "thief" and "steal" shall be construed accordingly." - i.e. the appropriation also must be "dishonest" (missed from Tony's paraphrasing). It is actually important since each element of the definition must be present for the offence of theft to be committed. This is also only described as the "basic definition" - sections 2 to 5 expand on each element (e.g. dishonestly, appropriation etc.), But shoplifting unquestionably can be theft.
Laurence
Laurence W. Bebbington
Law Librarian
Hallward Library
The University of Nottingham
Nottingham
NG7 2RD
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