Paddy Tipping, Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, sparked fury after saying the force plans to stop sending officers to reports of thefts from shops to focus on more serious crimes.

Senior officers say the cash-strapped police force is having to “prioritise” to make savings of £16million over the next two years.

The row comes days after Durham Police said they will not prosecute “low-level” drug dealers – even if they are selling heroin.

And last month the Metropolitan Police said it would no longer investigate tens of thousands of shoplifting, car crime or vandalism offences in London because budget cuts meant it was “not practical”. 

Mr Tipping faced an angry backlash after he said: “Is shoplifting as important as investigating a serious sexual assault? It is not.

“If people report shoplifting will the police come? Probably not.

“We don’t go out to attempted vehicle break-ins unless the person is vulnerable. People are upset about that but it is a reality.”

Nottinghamshire’s Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “Like any other public service we must prioritise where areas of high harm and vulnerability exist, for example sexual offences against children and adults. When we are forced to make difficult choices, crimes of less impact upon vulnerable people will obviously come behind crimes of greater impact.”

Local shopkeepers and business leaders hit out at the plans. 

John Barlow, 45, who runs a newsagents in Bulwell, Nottingham, said: “It’s a disgrace the police won’t investigate shoplifting.

"They are basically telling thieves, ‘Help yourselves!’

“Of course there are more serious crimes police need to solve but you can’t just give thieves a licence to steal.”

James Martin, of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retail crime is a serious issue and a real threat to the economy. The annual bill soared to more than £660million last year. 

“Many of those crimes are by repeat offenders, who use violence and threats to get what they want.

“We understand that local forces face difficult decisions but retail crime needs to be given the priority it deserves.”